The NSDUH Report - Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors among Adults

In 2008, an estimated 8.3 million adults aged 18 or older (3.7 percent of the adult population) had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year; 2.3 million (1.0 percent) made a suicide plan; and, 1.1 million (0.5 percent) attempted suicide.

Young adults aged 18 to 25 were more likely than adults aged 26 to 49 and those aged 50 or older to have had serious thoughts of suicide (6.7 vs. 3.9 and 2.3 percent, respectively), to have made any plans for suicide (1.9 vs. 1.1 and 0.7 percent), and to have attempted suicide (1.2 vs. 0.4 and 0.3 percent).

Of the adults who attempted suicide in the past year, 62.3 percent received medical attention for their suicide attempts, and 46.0 percent stayed overnight or longer in a hospital for their suicide attempts.

Rates of suicidal behaviors were also significantly higher among those with a past year substance use disorder than among those without a substance use disorder.

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