Strategic Direction for the Prevention of Suicidal Behavior

In the United States and around the world, self-directed violence is a serious public health problem. Such violence includes acts of suicidal behavior (fatal and nonfatal attempts), suicidal ideation (thinking about, considering, or planning for suicide), and nonsuicidal, intentional self-harm (behaviors with the intention not to kill oneself, as in self­ mutilation). 2, 3 Fatal and nonfatal suicidal behavior has a most pronounced morbidity and mortality and is thus the focus of CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention’s (DVP) strategic direction. In 2005, 32,637 suicides occurred—the 11 leading cause of death. Because of suicide’s greater effect on adolescents and young adults relative to other causes of death, suicide ranked as the fifth leading cause of years of potential life lost before age 65. In fact, in 2005, suicide was the third leading cause of death for 10to 24-year-olds, and the second leading cause of death for 25to 34-year-olds. Moreover, although suicide remains a problem among youth and young adults, overall rates of death due to suicide continue highest among persons aged 65 and older.