Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk Factors for SuicideExplaining the DisparityPreventionHow to Get Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Risk Factors for Suicide

Explaining the Disparity

Prevention

How to Get Help

Close

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The suicide rate among men in the U.S. is about four times that of women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Viewed another way, men account for almost 80% of suicides but only half the population. Although women tend to experience moresuicidal thinking, men are far more likely to end their own lives.

Here are some important things to understand aboutsuicideamong men and what you can do if you or a loved one are havinghopeless feelingsor thoughts about suicide.

Suicide Rate in Men

Press Play to Learn More About Suicide & Suicidal IdeationThis episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring psychiatrist Mark Goulston, shares why people have suicidal thoughts, why you shouldn’t blame yourself if you’ve lost someone to suicide, and what to do if you are having suicidal thoughts. Click below to listen now.

Press Play to Learn More About Suicide & Suicidal Ideation

This episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring psychiatrist Mark Goulston, shares why people have suicidal thoughts, why you shouldn’t blame yourself if you’ve lost someone to suicide, and what to do if you are having suicidal thoughts. Click below to listen now.

The most common risk factors for suicide are:

In older men, suicide is most strongly associated with depression, physical pain and illness, living alone, and feelings of hopelessness andguilt.

Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Suicide

Why the Suicide Rate in Men Differs

Men are also more likely to use lethal suicide methods than women.

Gender Differences in Suicide and Suicidal Behaviors

How to Prevent Suicide in Men

Strategies that both individuals and communities can use to help reduce the risk of male suicide include:

Emotional and practical support is important. The listed warning signs don’t inevitably lead to suicide attempts, but you should never ignore them.

People who feel suicidal often report a certain kind of tunnel vision, of being unable to see the broader picture and thinking only in terms of black and white.

Other ways to help reduce male suicide:

How to Create a Suicide Safety Plan

A 2019 study published in theJournal of Mental Healthfound that receiving support from a trusted and respected friend can be an effective suicide prevention strategy for men.Forming connections with other people who are going through the same thing can also be helpful.

Reframing the idea of seeking help is also important. Men may avoid it because they fear it is a sign of weakness. Finding ways to change this perspective is a critical aspect of reducing male suicide rates. The 2019 study also found that reframing help-seeking asmasculine behaviorincreases the likelihood that men will ask for help when they need it.

Why Do People Die By Suicide?

Getting help for people expressing suicidal intent or showing the warning signs is all-important. If you or someone you know needs help, there are many people and places where they can turn, including:

There are effectivetreatments for depression. Psychotherapy, antidepressants, and often a combination of both can be effective in reducingsymptoms of depressionand lowering the risk of suicide.

Should You See a Doctor, Psychiatrist, or Therapist for Depression?

The Takeaways

Depression may manifest differently in men than in women, which may explain why loved ones and physicians often miss the signs. Cultural expectations sometimes prevent men from seeking help when they’re feeling hopeless or suicidal. However, proven therapies can help men learn to cope, feel better, and get back to their usual lives.

Tips for Living With Depression

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control.Suicide Data and Statistics.Griffin L, Hosking W, Gill PR, Shearson K, Ivey G, Sharples J.The gender paradox: Understanding the role of masculinity in suicidal ideation.Am J Mens Health. 2022;16(5):15579883221123853. doi:10.1177/15579883221123853Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disparities in suicide.Howarth E, Johnson J.Comprehensive and clinically useful: Review of risk factors for suicidal behaviour in men.Evid Based Nurs. 2022;25(3):103-103. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103446National Institute of Mental Health.Men and depression.Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL.Men and depression.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(2):153-155.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Suicide Statistics.Stuszycyk S, Galdas PM, Tiffin PA.Men and suicide prevention: A scoping review.J Ment Health. 2019; 28(1): 80-88. doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1370638Additional ReadingWorld Health Organization.Preventing suicide: A global imperative. 2014.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control.Suicide Data and Statistics.Griffin L, Hosking W, Gill PR, Shearson K, Ivey G, Sharples J.The gender paradox: Understanding the role of masculinity in suicidal ideation.Am J Mens Health. 2022;16(5):15579883221123853. doi:10.1177/15579883221123853Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disparities in suicide.Howarth E, Johnson J.Comprehensive and clinically useful: Review of risk factors for suicidal behaviour in men.Evid Based Nurs. 2022;25(3):103-103. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103446National Institute of Mental Health.Men and depression.Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL.Men and depression.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(2):153-155.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Suicide Statistics.Stuszycyk S, Galdas PM, Tiffin PA.Men and suicide prevention: A scoping review.J Ment Health. 2019; 28(1): 80-88. doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1370638Additional ReadingWorld Health Organization.Preventing suicide: A global imperative. 2014.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control.Suicide Data and Statistics.Griffin L, Hosking W, Gill PR, Shearson K, Ivey G, Sharples J.The gender paradox: Understanding the role of masculinity in suicidal ideation.Am J Mens Health. 2022;16(5):15579883221123853. doi:10.1177/15579883221123853Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disparities in suicide.Howarth E, Johnson J.Comprehensive and clinically useful: Review of risk factors for suicidal behaviour in men.Evid Based Nurs. 2022;25(3):103-103. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103446National Institute of Mental Health.Men and depression.Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL.Men and depression.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(2):153-155.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Suicide Statistics.Stuszycyk S, Galdas PM, Tiffin PA.Men and suicide prevention: A scoping review.J Ment Health. 2019; 28(1): 80-88. doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1370638

Centers for Disease Control.Suicide Data and Statistics.

Griffin L, Hosking W, Gill PR, Shearson K, Ivey G, Sharples J.The gender paradox: Understanding the role of masculinity in suicidal ideation.Am J Mens Health. 2022;16(5):15579883221123853. doi:10.1177/15579883221123853

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Disparities in suicide.

Howarth E, Johnson J.Comprehensive and clinically useful: Review of risk factors for suicidal behaviour in men.Evid Based Nurs. 2022;25(3):103-103. doi:10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103446

National Institute of Mental Health.Men and depression.

Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL.Men and depression.Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(2):153-155.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Suicide Statistics.

Stuszycyk S, Galdas PM, Tiffin PA.Men and suicide prevention: A scoping review.J Ment Health. 2019; 28(1): 80-88. doi:10.1080/09638237.2017.1370638

World Health Organization.Preventing suicide: A global imperative. 2014.

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