Suicide Prevention
Wisconsin Suicide Data
Burden of Suicide Report in Wisconsin
Suicide is a significant public health problem in Wisconsin. Suicidal behavior places a large burden on individuals, families, and communities throughout Wisconsin due to loss of life, disability, emotional and financial toll on family and friends, and lost productivity in the workforce.
This report outlines the burden of the problem by utilizing data from the Violent Injury Reporting System (VIRS) and the Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System (WVDRS). The report presents data on trends of suicide by age, sex, education, race, ethnicity, marital status and veteran status as well as circumstance information surrounding the suicides. In addition to providing data on suicides, the number of suicide attempts and economic factors such as years per life lost and hospitalization and emergency department visit costs are given.
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In 2006:
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Suicide was the tenth most common cause of death in Wisconsin.
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Among those ages 18-40 years, suicide was the second most common cause of death, following unintentional injuries.
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Six children less than 14 years of age died by suicide.
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The majority of suicides occurred in the working age population, those age 18-64 years.
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Each suicide death was estimated to affect the life of six other people. This means nearly 4,000 Wisconsin residents were affected by a loved one’s suicide.
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There were 5,277 hospitalizations and 4,143 emergency department visits due to self-harm. Many who make suicide attempts never seek professional care immediately after the attempt.
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These hospitalizations and emergency department visits resulted in over $64 million dollars in hospital charges.
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Forty-five percent of suicides were by firearm.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Risk factors are stressful events, situations, or conditions that exist in a person's life that may increase the likelihood of attempting or dying by suicide. There is no predictive list of a particular set of risk factors that spells imminent danger of suicide.
It is important to understand that risk factors DO NOT cause suicide. Risk factors most strongly associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download
more information.
Protective factors are the positive conditions and personal and social resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential for youth suicide as well as other high-risk behaviors. It is important to understand that protective factors do not prevent suicide. Protective factors associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download more information.
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