| Myth: Asian-Americans have higher suicide rates than other racial/ethnic groups. | Fact: The suicide rate for Asian-Americans (6.10 per 10,000) is about half that of the national rate (11.5 per 10,000). |
| Myth: Asian-Americans have higher suicide rates than other racial/ethnic groups. | Fact: Asian-American college students had a higher rate of suicidal thoughts than White college students but there is no national data about their rate of suicide deaths. |
| Myth: Young Asian-American women (aged 15-24) have the highest suicide rates of all racial/ethnic groups. | Fact: American-Indian/Alaskan Native women aged 15-24 have the highest suicide rate compared to all racial/ethnic groups. |
Statistics on Asian-Americans’ Suicide-related Outcomes
The following information is based on national suicide rates in 2007:1, 2
-
Suicide was the 8th leading cause of death for Asian-Americans, whereas it was the 11th leading cause of death for all racial groups combined.
-
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Asian-Americans aged 15-34, which is consistent with the national data (the second leading cause for 15-24 year-olds and the third leading cause for 25-34 year-olds).
-
Among all Asian-Americans, those aged 20-24 had the highest suicide rate (12.44 per 100,000).
-
Among females from all racial backgrounds between the ages of 65 and 84, Asian-Americans had the highest suicide rate.
-
Asian-American men had lower suicide rates relative to those of White and American Indian/Alaskan Native men for almost all age groups.
The following information is based on findings from national studies on suicidal thoughts and attempts:
- Asian-American adults’ lifetime rates of suicidal thoughts (8.6 percent) and attempts (2.5 percent) were lower than those of national lifetime estimate (13.5 percent for thoughts, 4.6 percent for attempts).3
- U.S.-born Asian-American women had a higher lifetime rate of suicidal thoughts (15.9 percent) than that of the general U.S. population (13.5 percent).3
- Among Asian-American adults, those aged 18-34 had the highest rates of suicidal thoughts (11.9 percent), intent (4.4 percent) and attempts (3.8 percent) compared to other age groups.3
- Asian-Americans college students were more likely than White American students to have had suicidal thoughts and to attempt suicide.4
