By the Numbers - Sept. 26, 2016

By the Numbers - Sept. 26, 2016

9.8 million

The number of U.S. adults aged 18 or older who "thought seriously about trying to kill themselves in the past 12 months," according to a recently released data brief from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -- Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior among Adults:

Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. According to the report, this includes "2.7 million who made suicide plans and 1.4 million who made a nonfatal suicide attempt. These numbers represent 4.0 percent of adults in 2015 who had serious thoughts of suicide, 1.1 percent who made suicide plans, and 0.6 percent who attempted suicide in the past year." Also from the report:

In 2015, the percentages of adults having serious thoughts of suicide were higher for past year alcohol users, past month binge and heavy alcohol use drinkers, past year illicit drug users, adults with a past year substance use disorder (SUD), and adults with a past year major depressive episode (MDE). Among adults in 2015 who had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, more than half did not receive any mental health services in the past year, and about 1 in 8 perceived a need for mental health care but did not obtain care.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Courtesy of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health​