Suicide took the lives of 29,350 Americans in 2000 (11.3 per 100,000 population). More people die from suicide than from homicide in the United States. In 1998, over 20,000 Americans died from homicide (6.3 per 100,000 population).

Overall, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Although the age-adjusted suicide rate has remained constant since the 1940s, suicide rates have shifted for some groups during the period between 1980 and 1995. For example, suicide rates have increased among persons between the ages of 10 and 19, among young black males, and among elderly males. Suicide rates for middle-aged adults declined during this period, but, for the first time since the 1930s, increased among Americans over the age of 60.

Nearly 60% of all suicides are committed with a firearm. In 1998, more than 90% of all suicides in this country were among whites, with males accounting for 73% and females 18% of all suicides. However, during the period from 1979-1992, suicide rates for Native Americans (a category that includes American Indians and Alaska Natives) were about 1.5 times the national rates. There was a disproportionate number of suicides among young male Native Americans during this period, as males 15-24 accounted for 64% of all suicides by Native Americans.

Suicide among black youths, once uncommon, has increased sharply in recent years. The rate of black suicide for teens 15-19 more than doubled from 3.6 per 100,000 to 8.1 per 100,000 from 1980 - 1995. Although white teens still have a higher rate of suicide, the gap could narrow. However, in 2000, 1,636 African American deaths were certified as suicide - a rate of 5.7 per 100,000 or 5 a day.