Trends in Adult Suicides in New Mexico: Utilizing Data From the New Mexico Violent Death Reporting System

• NCJ Number: 229688
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 93-99
• Author(s): Anne N. Styka, M.P.H.; David S. White; Ross E. Zumwalt, M.D.; Sarah L. Lathrop, D.V.M., Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 7 pages
• Contract Number(s): U17CE624126-05
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); New Mexico Dept of Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study utilized data collected by the New Mexico Violent Death Reporting System in its first 2 years of operation (2005 and 2006) in order to define the demographic patterns of adult suicides in the State and characterize risk factors.

Abstract

Although many suicide prevention programs focus on youth suicides, data indicate the vast majority of suicides occur among adults (18-64 years). In 2005, New Mexico joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System, collecting data on suicides, homicides, and unintentional firearm fatalities to better inform State and national prevention programs. A total of 526 suicides occurred among adults during this time (2005 and 2006), with the majority being male (78.5 percent) and White non-Hispanic (56.7 percent). The highest incidence was in adults between 45 and 54 years (28.1 percent). Firearms were the most commonly used mechanism, and "current depressed mood" the most commonly identified risk factor. High rates of adult suicide indicate the need for targeted prevention programs. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 32 references (Published abstract)