Did you know Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S.?

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the CDC, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023. In the same year, 12.8 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.7 million made a plan, and 1.5 million made an attempt.

Older adults and people with disabilities are among those at greatest risk. Data show that people 85 and older have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Though limited data are available on suicide among adults with disabilities, research has shown that they experience frequent mental distress (a known risk factor for suicide) 4.6 times as often as adults without disabilities.

These numbers underscore the urgent need to address suicide risk. While the statistics are sobering, suicide is preventable. Strong community supports, meaningful connections, and access to physical and behavioral health care can help protect people from suicide.

The aging and disability networks play an important role in building these protections. Initiatives like evidence-based health programs, caregiver respite, assistive technology, accessible transportation, and other supports reduce isolation, create and foster connections, and increase safety. ACL addresses these needs by funding efforts like The Link Center, established to expand access to effective services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have mental health conditions. ACL has also funded a grant to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to develop provider training that includes identifying suicide risk among older adults. Across the aging and disability networks, ACL and its partners are working to strengthen resilience and improve mental health and well-being for people of all ages.

This September, ACL is proud to join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase awareness and promote resources aimed at suicide prevention. SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit includes fact sheets, shareable graphics, social media messages, and other materials you can use to raise awareness and connect people to help.