Mental Health & Suicide

Overview

Vermont ’s suicide rate exceeds the national average. Though the state ranks highly among others for its residents’ physical health and general quality of life, a sense of isolation in pockets of concentrated poverty may contribute to the state’s high suicide rate. Among youth, rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts are disturbing but parallel national trends. The high statewide rate of suicides committed, therefore, occurs within Vermont’s adult population.

Fast Facts

• Vermont ’s suicide rate is 12.7 per 100,000 people, surpassing the national average of 10.9 per 100,000.
• The state’s highest concentration of suicide occurs among the elderly, especially older men. Nationally, the rate of suicide among men triples when they pass age 75.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Vermont youth ages 15 to 24. Teen girls made suicide plans at a rate nearly twice that of boys, and twice as many girls as boys attempted suicide. More than one in 10 students in grades 8 to 12 reported planning suicide during the past 12 months. Six percent of all Vermont students attempted suicide one or more times during the same period.

Read more about Vermont suicide rates in Understanding Vermont or get a copy of the entire publication.

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