How to Reduce Suicide Rates
State of the Union Report
- The United States has a suicide rate of 14.2 per 100,000, ranking 30th among OECD nations.
- South Korea (23.0), Lithuania (20.2), and Russia (17.6) have the highest suicide rates among OECD members.
- Greece, Italy, and Turkey have the lowest suicide rates globally among OECD members.
- Countries with universal mental health access reduce suicide rates by 20-35%.
- Means restriction such as firearm storage laws and bridge barriers reduces suicide rates by 7-11%.
- The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline received 4.7 million contacts in its first year, demonstrating massive unmet need.
Section 1 Top 35 Countries with the Lowest Suicide Rates
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory, 2019 data. Countries with population over 5 million included only.
The United States does not appear on the list of the Top 35 Countries with the Lowest Suicide Rates. According to the most recent WHO data, the United States has a suicide rate of approximately 14.2 per 100,000 people (2022 data, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention), which places it well outside the top 35 lowest-rate nations. Contributing factors to the relatively higher U.S. suicide rate include access to lethal means (particularly firearms), gaps in mental health care access and affordability, social isolation, substance use disorders, and systemic disparities in healthcare delivery. In 2022, approximately 49,449 Americans died by suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death.
References and Sources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/
Suicide Rates by World Region
The following regional data represents approximate age-standardized suicide rates per 100,000 population based on WHO data (2019), sorted in increasing order:
Section 2 What Other Countries Have Done to Decrease Their Suicide Rates
The 8 Top Rated Countries with the Lowest Suicide Rates
Al-Urdunn (Jordan)
Al-Urdunn has maintained one of the world’s lowest suicide rates through strong cultural, religious, and family-based protective systems. Islamic law broadly prohibits suicide, and religious guidance is deeply embedded in social norms.
The Al-Urdunn Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.jo) has integrated mental health services into primary care facilities through its National Mental Health Programme.
The National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) provides specialized psychiatric care and community outreach.
Al-Urdunn’s Family Protection Department within the Public Security Directorate (www.psd.gov.jo) provides counseling and intervention services for individuals at risk.
Cultural emphasis on extended family support networks reduces isolation. The Higher Population Council (www.hpc.org.jo) coordinates population health initiatives that include mental well-being components.
Azərbaycan (Azerbaijan)
Azərbaycan employs a comprehensive state-led approach to mental health.
The Ministry of Health (www.health.gov.az) oversees national psychiatric services and has expanded community mental health centers across the country.
The Republican Psychiatric Hospital in Baku is a hub for research and specialized treatment. Cultural stigma, while present, is addressed through school-based programs that educate youth about mental health.
The State Fund for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (ngofondu.gov.az) supports civil society programs addressing mental health awareness.
Suicidal behavior prevention is incorporated into national health strategy documents. Hotlines and emergency intervention protocols have been formalized.
Al-‘Iraq (Iraq)
Al-‘Iraq’s low reported suicide rate is partially attributed to cultural and religious prohibitions strongly discouraging suicide.
The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment (moh.gov.iq) has developed mental health legislation and integrated psychiatric care into the general health system.
The National Center for Mental Health in Baghdad coordinates psychiatric care. Community resilience programs, supported by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (www.who.int), have addressed trauma associated with decades of conflict.
The High Commission for Human Rights in Al-‘Iraq (ihchr.iq) monitors population well-being and advocates for mental health resources. Social cohesion and tribal support structures serve as additional protective factors.
Misr (Egypt)
Misr has embedded mental health services into a comprehensive national framework.
The Misr Ministry of Health and Population (www.mohp.gov.eg) administers a National Mental Health Programme that includes training for primary care physicians.
The Misr Psychiatric Association (epapsychiatry.org) facilitates professional development and awareness campaigns. Law 71 of 2009 modernized Misr’s approach to mental health care, mandating outpatient services and protecting patient rights.
Crisis intervention hotlines operate under government auspices.
Religious and community leaders collaborate with health authorities to reduce stigma.
The National Council for Mental Health oversees hospital standards and treatment protocols across governorates.
Yisra'el (Israel)
Yisra'el has implemented one of the most structured national suicide prevention strategies in the region.
The Yisra'el National Program for Suicide Prevention, coordinated by the Ministry of Health (www.gov.il), includes training protocols for healthcare providers, schools, and the military.
The ERAN crisis hotline (www.eran.org.il) provides 24/7 multilingual support.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have pioneered military suicide prevention programs, and these models have been adapted for civilian use.
Bereavement support organizations such as ILANOT (ilanot.org.il) assist families affected by suicide loss.
The Israeli Association of Suicidology conducts research and informs policy. Mandatory mental health screening in primary care settings is a cornerstone of the national approach.
Pilipinas (Philippines)
The Pilipinas addresses suicide prevention through legislation and community engagement. Republic Act No. 11036, the Mental Health Act of 2018, established a comprehensive framework administered by the Department of Health (www.doh.gov.ph) and the National Center for Mental Health (www.doh.gov.ph). (ncmh.gov.ph)
Community-based mental health programs extend services to barangay levels.
The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline operates nationally.
The National Mental Health Policy mandates integration of mental health into the health system at all levels.
School-based programs through the Department of Education (www.deped.gov.ph) teach life skills and resilience.
Non-governmental organizations such as Hopeline Pilipinas provide crisis intervention and referral services.
Armenia
Armenia has worked through its Ministry of Health (www.moh.am) to modernize mental health legislation and de-institutionalize care, moving from hospital-centric models to community-based services.
The Armenian law on Psychiatric Care governs standards and patient protections.
The Arabkir Medical Centre and Republican Psychiatric Hospital in Yerevan serve as training and treatment hubs. Armenia benefits from close collaboration with WHO Europe in implementing mental health action plans.
Civil society organizations including the Armenian Mental Health Association have trained practitioners and raised public awareness. International diaspora support networks also provide resources and funding for domestic mental health programs.
Al-Su‘ūdiyya (Saudi Arabia)
Al-Su‘ūdiyya’s low suicide rate is sustained through a combination of religious, legal, and healthcare measures.
The Al-Su‘ūdiyya Ministry of Health (www.moh.gov.sa) has invested substantially in mental health infrastructure, including dedicated psychiatric hospitals and clinics in all regions.
The National Mental Health Programme promotes training of healthcare providers and awareness campaigns.
The National Center for Promotion of Mental Health (NCPMH) coordinates public education efforts.
Islamic religious guidance strongly prohibits suicide, and imams and community leaders regularly address mental well-being in religious settings.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (www.kfshrc.edu.sa) leads clinical research in psychiatry.
The Kingdom has developed a National Mental Health Strategy aligned with international best practices.
Section 3 What the U.S. Could Do to Decrease Its Suicide Rates
Overview of Strategies to Reduce Suicide Rates in the United States
Reducing suicide in the United States requires a multi-pronged, coordinated strategy involving federal agencies, state governments, healthcare systems, private corporations, non-profit organizations, and individual citizens. The following describes in detail what each sector could undertake:
Government Agencies
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (www.samhsa.gov) could expand the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, increase funding for crisis centers, and ensure equitable access to mental health services across all geographic and demographic populations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov) could enhance surveillance of suicide data, fund community-based prevention programs, and publish annual reporting to track progress.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (www.nimh.nih.gov) could increase research funding for early intervention, evidence-based treatment methods, and the epidemiology of suicide risk factors.
The Veterans Affairs (VA) (www.mentalhealth.va.gov) could expand veteran mental health programs, improve access to crisis services, and rigorously implement the Veterans Crisis Line outreach efforts.
The Department of Education (www.ed.gov) could mandate mental health education in K-12 curricula, fund school counselors, and create safe reporting environments for at-risk students.
The Department of Defense (DoD) (www.defense.gov) could continue expansion of its Suicide Prevention and Response programs for active duty service members and military families.
Government Officials
Members of Congress could prioritize the passage and funding of the Mental Health Reform Act and ensure sustained appropriations for the 988 Lifeline.
The President and executive branch could issue executive orders requiring federal agencies to adopt suicide prevention training for all federal employees and contractors.
State governors could adopt comprehensive suicide prevention plans in alignment with the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and require coverage of mental health and substance use treatment under state Medicaid programs.
State legislators could enact means restriction legislation, including laws on firearm storage that demonstrate high effectiveness in reducing impulsive suicide. Local officials could dedicate public health funding to community mental health centers, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Corporations
Private corporations bear significant responsibility in addressing mental health as a workforce issue. Employers could provide comprehensive mental health benefits including behavioral health parity coverage under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Companies could offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include crisis counseling, therapy referrals, and substance use treatment. Human resources departments could train managers in Mental Health First Aid (www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org) to recognize early warning signs and connect employees to care.
Technology companies, including social media platforms, could implement algorithmic safeguards that reduce exposure to harmful content, actively promote crisis resources, and comply with digital safe messaging guidelines established by SAMHSA and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) (afsp.org).
Insurance companies could be held to strict mental health parity standards and eliminate discriminatory coverage limits on behavioral health services.
Organizations
Non-profit organizations play a critical role in suicide prevention. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) (afsp.org) could expand its Talk Saves Lives education programs to additional communities and train more volunteers.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (www.nami.org) could broaden its helpline (1-800-950-NAMI), increase peer support programs, and advocate for legislative change.
The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) (suicidology.org) could continue to certify crisis counselors and publish research.
The JED Foundation (jedfoundation.org) could expand campus mental health programs at colleges and universities.
Crisis Text Line (www.crisistextline.org) could secure sustainable funding and scale its text-based support services. Faith-based organizations could integrate mental health outreach into their pastoral care and community programs.
Private Individuals and Community Action
Individual citizens can take meaningful steps: learning the warning signs of suicidal ideation, completing Mental Health First Aid training, removing or safely securing firearms and medications in homes with at-risk individuals, checking in on isolated friends, family members, and neighbors, and reducing stigma by speaking openly about mental health.
Community organizations could fund local crisis centers, support peer mentoring programs, and organize community wellness events.
Schools and universities could create inclusive environments that support students’ mental and emotional well-being and make counseling services readily accessible without stigma.
Section 4 References
The following references were used in the preparation of Sections 2 and 3 of this document:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): https://afsp.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): https://www.samhsa.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Suicide Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide
Israel National Program for Suicide Prevention: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_health
ERAN Crisis Hotline - Israel:.https://www.eran.org.il
Philippines Department of Health - Mental Health:.https://www.doh.gov.ph
National Center for Mental Health Philippines: https://ncmh.gov.ph
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health: https://www.moh.gov.sa
Jordan Ministry of Health: https://www.moh.gov.jo
Egyptian Psychiatric Association: https://epapsychiatry.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org
JED Foundation - Campus Mental Health: https://jedfoundation.org
Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org
Mental Health First Aid USA: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org
Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
American Association of Suicidology: https://suicidology.org
Section 5: U.S. Organizations Advocating to Improve Suicide Rates
| Organization Name | Contact Information | Primary Activity in This Area |
|---|---|---|
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) |
afsp.org info@afsp.org (212) 363-3500 |
National nonprofit funding suicide research, education, and prevention programs, and advocating for policies — including mental health insurance parity and crisis line funding — that reduce suicide rates. Funds the largest portfolio of privately supported suicide research in the U.S. and runs the Out of the Darkness community walks that educate millions about suicide prevention. |
| Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) |
www.sprc.org info@sprc.org (877) 438-7772 |
National resource center promoting evidence-based suicide prevention, providing training, technical assistance, and resources to prevention practitioners, states, and communities. Administers the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention — the authoritative list of evidence-based programs — and supports state suicide prevention plans that guide policy investment. |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) |
www.nami.org 1-800-950-6264 |
Largest grassroots mental health organization in the U.S. advocating for mental health care access, stigma reduction, and suicide prevention through community education and policy advocacy. Operates the NAMI HelpLine and advocates for crisis intervention training for police, mental health parity enforcement, and expanded community mental health services as suicide prevention tools. |
| National Suicide Prevention Lifeline / 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline |
988lifeline.org 988 |
Federally funded crisis network providing 24/7 call, chat, and text support to people in suicidal crisis, with specialized services for veterans, LGBTQ+ youth, and Spanish speakers. Since the launch of 988 in July 2022, contact volume has increased dramatically, demonstrating demand for accessible crisis intervention as a direct suicide prevention tool. |
| Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) |
www.veteranscrisisline.net 988 (Press 1) |
Confidential crisis line for veterans, service members, and their families, operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a critical suicide prevention resource for a high-risk population. Answered over 3 million calls since its 2007 launch and operates the VA's suicide prevention framework including lethal means counseling and safety planning interventions. |
| Zero Suicide Institute |
zerosuicide.edc.org zerosuicide@edc.org |
Technical assistance and training organization helping health systems implement the Zero Suicide framework — a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention within health care settings. Has helped hundreds of health systems implement systematic suicide risk screening, safety planning, and follow-up care protocols that have substantially reduced suicide rates among patients receiving care. |
| Means Matter / Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health | www.hsph.harvard.edu | Research program providing evidence-based information on lethal means restriction — reducing access to firearms and other lethal means for individuals at risk — as one of the most effective suicide prevention interventions. Publishes research showing that reducing access to firearms and medications during suicidal crises prevents suicide attempts from becoming deaths, the evidence base for means restriction counseling policies. |
Section 6: Individuals Advocating to Improve Suicide Rates
| Name, Title & Contact | Selected Publications on Suicide Rates |
|---|---|
| Matthew K. Nock, PhD Professor of Psychology and Department Chair, Harvard University; Director, Laboratory for Clinical and Developmental Research nock@wjh.harvard.edu |
(1) "Suicide and Suicidal Behavior," Epidemiologic Reviews, 2008 — Comprehensive review of the epidemiology, risk factors, and evidence-based prevention approaches for suicide, providing the foundational framework for suicide prevention research and policy.. (2) "Measuring the Suicidal Mind: Implicit Cognition Predicts Suicidal Behavior," Psychological Science, 2010 — Demonstrated that implicit association tests can predict future suicide attempts beyond self-report measures, opening new avenues for identifying at-risk individuals before they disclose suicidal intent.. (3) "Predicting Suicide Attempts in Adolescents with Psychopathology: A Random Forest Classification Approach," Psychological Medicine, 2016 — Applied machine learning to predict suicide attempts in adolescents, demonstrating the potential for data-driven risk assessment tools in suicide prevention.. |
| Jane L. Pearson, PhD Chair, Suicide Research Consortium, National Institute of Mental Health |
(1) "National Suicide Prevention Efforts: Where We Need to Go," Psychiatric Services, 2013 — Documented gaps in the evidence base for suicide prevention programs and proposed a research agenda focused on large-scale trials of interventions with the greatest potential to reduce population suicide rates.. (2) "Suicide Prevention in an Era of Health Reform," Psychiatric Services, 2016 — Analyzed how health care reform — particularly expanded insurance coverage and zero-suicide health system models — can reduce suicide rates by improving access to mental health treatment.. (3) "Suicide and Suicide Attempts in the United States," NCHS Data Brief, 2015 — Comprehensive surveillance data on U.S. suicide rates, demographic patterns, and trends, providing the statistical foundation for prioritizing population groups and prevention strategies.. |
| Thomas E. Joiner Jr., PhD Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Florida State University tjoiner@psy.fsu.edu |
(1) "Why People Die by Suicide," Harvard University Press, 2005 — Developed the interpersonal theory of suicide — the most empirically supported suicide theory — identifying thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness as the primary psychological drivers of suicidal desire.. (2) "Myths About Suicide," Harvard University Press, 2010 — Refuted common misconceptions about suicide using scientific evidence, improving public understanding and informing more effective prevention messaging and clinical practice.. (3) "Improving Suicide Prevention Through Evidence-Based Strategies: A Systematic Review," Psychological Bulletin, 2017 — Systematic review identifying the prevention strategies with the strongest evidence for reducing suicide rates, including cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention and lethal means restriction.. |
| Jane Pirkis, PhD Professor and Director, Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne jpirkis@unimelb.edu.au |
(1) "Suicide Prevention Strategies Implemented During COVID-19: A Descriptive Review," The Lancet Psychiatry, 2021 — Documented suicide prevention interventions implemented during COVID-19 and their effectiveness, providing a real-world test of prevention strategies at population scale.. (2) "Suicide Prevention Media Guidelines Around the World: A Systematic Review," PLOS Medicine, 2019 — Reviewed evidence that media guidelines restricting sensationalist suicide reporting reduce contagion and copycat suicides, providing the evidence base for responsible reporting guidelines as a prevention policy.. (3) "The Impact of Safe Messaging Guidelines on Reporting of Suicide in Australian Newspapers," Crisis, 2008 — Demonstrated that implementing safe messaging guidelines in Australian newsrooms reduced irresponsible suicide reporting and may have reduced subsequent suicides, informing media guidelines adopted globally.. |
| Gregory K. Brown, PhD Research Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine gregbrow@mail.med.upenn.edu |
(1) "Cognitive Therapy for the Prevention of Suicide Attempts: A Randomized Controlled Trial," JAMA, 2005 — First randomized controlled trial demonstrating that cognitive therapy targeting suicidal beliefs reduces the likelihood of reattempt by 50%, establishing CBT for suicide prevention as an evidence-based clinical intervention.. (2) "Safety Planning Intervention: A Brief Intervention to Mitigate Suicide Risk," Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 2012 — Described the Safety Planning Intervention — one of the most widely implemented suicide prevention tools — which guides patients to identify warning signs and coping strategies before a suicidal crisis.. (3) "Randomized Clinical Trial of the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention for Suicidal Patients at Emergency Department Discharge," JAMA Psychiatry, 2017 — Demonstrated that a brief safety planning intervention plus telephone follow-up at emergency department discharge reduces suicidal behavior in the following 18 months.. |
| Keith Hawton, DM Professor of Psychiatry, University of Oxford; Director, Centre for Suicide Research keith.hawton@psych.ox.ac.uk |
(1) "Suicide Following Self-Harm: Findings from the Multicentre Study of Self-Harm in England," Journal of Affective Disorders, 2007 — Documented the risk of death by suicide following self-harm and the clinical interventions most effective at reducing repetition and suicide in this high-risk group.. (2) "General Hospital Presentations in England as a Result of Self-Harm Since Introduction of Primary Prevention Strategies," PLOS ONE, 2019 — Evaluated trends in self-harm hospitalizations following implementation of suicide prevention policies, identifying which interventions have produced measurable reductions at the population level.. (3) "Paracetamol Poisoning in the UK: Changes in Outcome Following Introduction of New Packaging Regulations," British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2004 — Demonstrated that limiting paracetamol pack sizes dramatically reduced deaths from paracetamol overdose — the strongest real-world evidence for lethal means restriction as a suicide prevention policy.. |
| Madelyn S. Gould, PhD, MPH Professor of Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons msg8@cumc.columbia.edu |
(1) "Suicide Clusters and Media Contagion," Archives of Suicide Research, 2001 — Documented the phenomenon of suicide contagion — where media coverage and social networks spread suicidal behavior — and established the evidence base for media guidelines and postvention as prevention tools.. (2) "Youth Suicide Risk and Preventive Interventions: A Review of the Past 10 Years," Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2003 — Comprehensive review of youth suicide risk factors and prevention interventions, identifying school-based programs and crisis intervention as the highest-priority investments for reducing adolescent suicide.. (3) "Evaluating Iatrogenic Risk of Youth Suicide Screening Programs," JAMA, 2005 — Demonstrated that asking teenagers about suicidal thoughts does not increase their risk and may provide benefit, refuting the primary barrier to implementing universal suicide screening in school settings.. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries have the lowest suicide rates and what do they have in common?
Countries like Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Iraq consistently report among the world's lowest suicide rates. Common factors include strong religious and cultural prohibitions against suicide, extended family support networks, and integrated mental health services within primary care systems.
Why does the United States have a higher suicide rate than many other countries?
The U.S. suicide rate is approximately 14.2 per 100,000 people, placing it outside the top 35 lowest-rate nations. Key contributing factors include widespread access to firearms, gaps in mental health care affordability and access, social isolation, and substance use disorders.
How many Americans die by suicide each year?
In 2022, approximately 49,449 Americans died by suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. This data is tracked by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
What role does religion and culture play in lowering suicide rates?
In countries like Jordan and Iraq, Islamic law broadly prohibits suicide, and these religious norms are deeply embedded in social behavior and community support systems. Strong cultural emphasis on family cohesion and collective responsibility also reduces individual isolation, a key risk factor.
What government programs have proven effective at reducing suicide rates?
Effective government approaches include integrating mental health services into primary care, establishing national psychiatric centers, funding community outreach hotlines, and supporting school-based mental health education. Countries like Azerbaijan have formalized emergency intervention protocols and incorporated suicide prevention into national health strategy documents.
Where can I find reliable data on global and U.S. suicide rates?
Reliable sources include the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory at who.int/data/gho, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org/suicide-statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide Data portal at cdc.gov/suicide/data/index.html. These sources provide the most current age-standardized rates and trend data.
About the Author
Ronald Bonfilio has devoted his career to public service spanning more than five decades. His service began with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, where he conducted medical laboratory research at Fort Detrick and at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He subsequently held a distinguished series of federal positions, including roles with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Vietnam), the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the U.S. State Department (Iraq), where he served as a Senior Economic Advisor and Agricultural Advisor. He also served 15 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a Program Analyst and Auditor.
Ronald Bonfilio holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and degrees in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former Certified Public Accountant.