Suicide affects many populations. From 1979 to 1992, suicide rates for Native Americans were 1.5 times the national rates. Asian-American women have the highest suicide rate among women age 65 or older. The suicide rate among young people is highest for white males. However, from 1980 to 1996, the suicide rate increased most rapidly among black males ages 15 to 19, more than doubling from 3.6 to 8.1 per 100,000.
Most suicides involve firearms.
The availability of firearms in the homes of high-risk individuals markedly increases their risk for suicide. Some suicides are not reported. Medical examiners cannot always determine whether or not a person's death was deliberate. The need is great for suicide-prevention programs that target the groups at highest risk. Unfortunately, there is little evidence that such interventions are effective.