The suicide rate of the general population in the United States is moderate in comparison with other countries, at about 12 per 100,000. Suicide happens frequently in all age, race, and economic groups. It does not confine itself to gender or to belief system. Every segment of U.S. culture is capable of producing individuals who will decide to kill themselves. However, certain groups are more likely to commit suicide.
Women make more nonfatal suicide attempts than do men.
And, although people below the age of 25 are more commonly thought of as the highest risk group for suicide, this is only an affectation of media attention. The historically assigned spiritual shame persists in many sectors of our culture, and leaves its residue on others. Stigma has also been a gift that each generation passes to the next. Suicide is not considered honorable. It is currently perceived as a sign of failure and weakness.