Understanding the complex risk factors of suicide is paramount to effective prevention and intervention strategies. While suicide affects people of all genders, it often manifests differently among men and women, In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top five suicide trends by gender, shedding light on critical distinctions in suicidal behavior and risk factors. By delving into these trends, healthcare professionals gain valuable insights to better tailor their care and support, ultimately contributing to the mission of reducing suicide rates worldwide.

Gender Differences in Suicidal Behavior

Does one’s gender affect the likelihood that one will consider or attempt suicide, and how likely is a suicide attempt to result in death depending on a person’s gender? Answering these questions and many more like them has produced a body of knowledge that has become known as the “gender paradox.”

Perhaps greater insight into the gender paradox will better arm those in our field to serve our communities more effectively. Here are five gender-based trends identified as part of the gender paradox that healthcare professionals and others working in the suicide prevention should be aware of.

Trend #1:  Men Die by Suicide More than Women

Within the elements that comprise gender-based suicide trends, a stark reality emerges: men are disproportionately more likely to die by suicide than their female counterparts. Many factors can contribute to this, such as a misplaced sense of pride, the general stigma against discussing suicidal ideation, or other factors which can affect suicidality in men.

The Harsh Reality

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men account for a staggering 76% of all deaths by suicide in the United States annually. To put this into perspective, for every tragic loss of a female life to suicide, we witness the heartbreaking loss of 3.3 male lives. This grim disparity underscores the urgency of our mission to transform suicide care and extend the reach of effective intervention strategies.

Trend #2:  Women Discuss Thoughts of Suicide More than Men

In our exploration of gender-based suicide trends, we observe a notable paradox: women, while less likely to succumb to suicide, are more willing to engage in open discourse about their suicidal thoughts. Yet despite this, men are still more likely to die by suicide than women. This fundamental gender difference adds depth to the intricate fabric of suicide prevention, raising important questions and opportunities for intervention through the CAMS Framework®.

The Gender Divide

According to the data, women are, on average, two to three times more likely than men to openly discuss their thoughts of suicide. This may signify that women are more likely to receive preventative treatment as a result of their willingness to share their struggles. Conversely, it raises the possibility that men, when grappling with suicidal thoughts, may be less inclined to vocalize their inner turmoil.

Trend #3:  Women Have More Previous Suicide Attempts than Men

Despite being less likely overall to commit a successful suicide attempt, women nonetheless exhibit a greater propensity for prior suicide attempts compared to men. Specifically, for every male suicide attempt, three females make the harrowing journey towards self-harm This discrepancy compels us to better examine the factors that underlie these gender-based disparities.

Trend #4:  Men Die from Suicide by Firearms More than Women

Another jarring trend in the realm of suicide by gender is that men are significantly more likely to turn to firearms as a method of self-harm than women. The numbers paint a distressing picture: men are generally more inclined to choose violent and lethal methods of suicide, with suicide by firearm at the forefront. Astonishingly, approximately 60% of male suicides involve the use of a firearm, while only about 30% of women resort to this method. This striking disparity is a significant factor contributing to the higher suicide rates among men, as suicide attempts utilizing firearms have an 80% likelihood of resulting in death.

Trend #5:  Research about Suicide in Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) Individuals is Growing

Much of our existing research and data examines gender through the lens of a binary system, however looking at suicide through the lens of transgender & gender diverse individuals paints a unique picture. This marks a paradigm shift, as it involves the recognition that gender identity transcends the binary framework of male and female, calling for a more inclusive approach within the realm of suicide care.

A Shift in Perspective

Historically, our knowledge of gender-based suicide trends was predominantly confined to a binary view of gender, centered on the traditional male/female dichotomy. However, in recent years, scholars and researchers have begun to explore the unique challenges and experiences of transgender & gender diverse individuals, whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This shift in perspective opens new doors to understanding the complex interplay between gender identity and suicidal behavior.

The Future of Suicide Prevention by Gender

These distinct patterns – the higher rate of male suicides, the willingness of women to discuss suicidal thoughts, the persistence of prior suicide attempts among women, the prominence of firearms in male suicides, and the emerging field of research on suicide in transgender and gender-diverse individuals –all work to highlight the differences in suicide by gender.. By understanding these unique contributing factors & situations, mental health professionals can be better equipped to provide effective treatment.

References:

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Suicide rising across the US. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html

2 National Center for Biotechnology Information, Prevalence of gender identity disorder and suicide risk amount transgender veterans utilizing veterans health administration care. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23947310