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Overview: Suicide in Massachusetts
Suicide is a significant public health problem in Massachusetts, taking an average of 400 lives each year. In the years 1999-2005, suicides were approximately three times as frequent as homicides. Males completed suicide more frequently than females, but females were more likely to attempt suicide. Suicide rates were highest for those between ages 35 and 54, and those over age 80. Treatment for non-fatal self-inflicted injury was most common for those 15-44 years of age. For every 1 suicide, there were 10 hospitalizations1 and an estimated 17 emergency department visits for non-fatal self-inflicted injury2.
Suffocation (including hanging) and firearms were the most common methods used to complete suicide (43% and 27%, respectively), while poisoning was most often used in non-fatal attempts (78%). Males had higher rates of completing suicides while females had higher rates of attempting suicides. White non-Hispanics had the highest rates for deaths (8.0 per 100,000), Black, non-Hispanics had the highest hospitalization rate (34.2 per 100,000), and Hispanics had the highest observation admission3 rate (3.6 per 100,000).
| Data Highlights: Suicide and Self-inflicted Injury among Massachusetts Residents, 10-85+, 1999-2000 |
| Deaths |
Hospitalizations |
Observation Admissions |
Est. Emergency Dept. Visits |
| Mean Annual Frequency |
416 |
3738 |
501 |
7181 |
| Mean Annual Rate |
7.5 per 100,000 |
67.7 per 100,000 |
9.1 per 100,000 |
114.1 per 100,000 |
| Most Common Method |
Suffocation (35%) |
Poisoning (78%) |
Poisoning (89%) |
Poisoning (69%) |
| Highest Risk Group: Sex |
Males |
Females |
Females |
Females |
| Highest Risk Group: Age |
35-44 |
15-24 |
15-24 |
15-24 |
| Highest Risk Group: Race |
White, non Hispanic |
Black, non Hispanic |
Hispanic |
Not Applicable |
According to the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey (MYRBS), a survey of high school students conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Education in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), suicidal thoughts and plans have decreased from 1995 to 2005. Reported attempts have increased slightly from 1999 to 2005.
Social stigma, pressure from survivors, and incomplete information about intentionality result in under-reporting of self-inflicted injuries and deaths. Furthermore, data collection systems for nonfatal injury are limited primarily to acute care hospitals. Patients treated in psychiatric facilities, Veteran’s Administration hospitals, corrections facilities, or by health professionals outside of a hospital setting are excluded. While the data on suicide and self-inflicted injuries paint a compelling picture, they are not complete. Suicide can be prevented. A public health approach to this problem includes ongoing collection of data on the magnitude and risk factors for these injuries and the use of this information in the development of prevention and other targeted interventions.
For additional data and surveillance information, please visit the Injury Surveillance Program website at
www.state.ma.us/dph/bhsre/isp/isp.htm.
Suicides and Self-Inflicted Injuries in Massachusetts: Data Update
Notes from the Injury Surveillance Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. January, 2005.
|
Age Group | Males | Females | TOTAL |
| (in years) | -N- | Rate | -N- | Rate | -N- | Rate |
| 10 to 14 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 15 to 24 | 44 | 10.4 | 9 | 2.1 | 53 | 6.3 |
| 25 to 34 | 61 | 13.7 | 10 | 2.2 | 71 | 7.9 |
| 35 to 44 | 84 | 16.1 | 18 | 3.3 | 102 | 9.6 |
| 45 to 54 | 67 | 15.0 | 16 | 3.4 | 83 | 9.0 |
| 55 to 64 | 42 | 14.6 | 11 | 3.5 | 53 | 8.8 |
| 65 to 74 | 23 | 12.4 | 5 | 2.2 | 28 | 6.8 |
| 75 to 84 | 22 | 17.8 | 4 | -- | 26 | 8.1 |
| 85+ | 8 | 22.8 | 1 | -- | 9 | 7.2 |
| Total | 351 | 13.0 | 74 | 2.5 | 425 | 7.6 |
Non-fatal self-inflicted injuries described below include hospitalizations for non-fatal suicide attempts as well as injuries sustained during other intentional acts of self-harm (e.g., cutting, burning).
For more information on suicide data or to learn more about suicide prevention activities in Massachusetts, please contact:
The Injury Surveillance Program
Center for Health Information, Statistics, Research and Evaluation
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
617-624-5648
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