Suicide rate by race/ethnicity

[family_guy]

First, this is not a topic to make people feel worse about themselves. Depression is a serious problem and I hope anyone suffering from it and contemplating suicide can get the help that they need. I was talking to a friend and she was talking about how suicide was most common among middle aged white men. I decided to look it up and came across this from a report for suicides from 2000-2015:

In 2015, the highest U.S. suicide rate (15.1) was among Whites and the second highest rate (12.6) was among American Indians and Alaska Natives (Figure 5). Much lower and roughly similar rates were found among Hispanics (5.8), Asians and Pacific Islanders (6.4), and Blacks (5.6).

https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

Any studies or general thoughts on the wide differences? Minorities are on the low end, while whites are 2.5 to 3x higher. Is there anything culturally that would explain this?

 

[Pancake Mix]

Lack of a close-knit family group/safety net plus a larger rural population at a time when rural areas are hurting. The latter may also be why Native Americans are second.

 

[TyphoonStruggle]

What is suicide rate? Deaths per???

The number of white people greatly outnumber the number of native Americans.

 

[Pancake Mix]

What is suicide rate? Deaths per???

The number of white people greatly outnumber the number of native Americans.

Ummm...if you don't know what a rate is...click the link to make sure. It's per 100,000.

 

[caliph95]

Why do these particular races have high suicide rates

 

[Dash_Riprock]

What the FUCK is going on in Alaska?

 

[Surface of Me]

What the FUCK is going on in Alaska?

Lack of sunlight and being in the middle of bumfuck nowhere?

 

[vypek]

There is a good Freakonomics Radio episode that goes into this. I believe it is called "The Suicide Paradox"
Goes into the difference by ethnicity and how it's combatted in some places and even how a piece of music was thought to increase suicides in an area.

Even a story about a place where suicide doesn't exist and the concept is openly laughed at.

Worth a listen.

 

[Dylan Sexbang]

What the FUCK is going on in Alaska?

Extended periods of darkness.

 

[Five]

Why do these particular races have high suicide rates

Because so much of media and popular culture tells you that once you get X you'll be happy, and there are a lot of people with X who are still not happy, so they take it personally.

 

[Mawile]

Minorities are on the low end, while whites are 2.5 to 3x higher. Is there anything culturally that would explain this?

It's hard to really say to be honest. I'm white and my mothers alcoholism has taken a huge toll on my life, as well as the other aspects about her like being racist, worrying about things that might be too girly for a "man" a lot, as other aspects about her as she lives in her bubble.

It's hard to really call those just "White" things, but at the same time, perhaps it has something to do with how a lot of White people are right wing and don't give their children enough love and let them be who they want to be.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

My theory on why men (particularly white men) have higher suicide rates is because our culture continues to tell them they are owed by society things like a successful job and family. So when those men are unable to acquire those things they feel denied, and turn to violence, either against others or themselves.

 

[family_guy]

Lack of a close-knit family group/safety net plus a larger rural population at a time when rural areas are hurting. The latter may also be why Native Americans are second.

Looking at the map, it does appear to be more of middle America, but lacking a family group and hurting financially seems like it would be just as common among the other ethnicities.

 

[besada]

Lack of sunlight and being in the middle of bumfuck nowhere?

Also increased gun ownership. Guns account for half of all suicides. Consequently, areas with higher gun ownership lead to areas with higher successful suicide rates.

 

[caliph95]

Yeah but doesn't certain race like African Americans have a stigma against therapy or was i being lied to.

 

[30yearsofhurt]

Because so much of media and popular culture tells you that once you get X you'll be happy, and there are a lot of people with X who are still not happy, so they take it personally.

This sort of shit is just insulting.

 

[How About No]

Holy damn what happened in Wyoming in 2012 (29.77)

 

[vypek]

http://freakonomics.com/podcast/suicide-paradox-rebroadcast/

 

[BlazinSkatinAxel]

My theory on why men (particularly white men) have higher suicide rates is because our culture continues to tell them they are owed by society things like a successful job and family. So when those men are unable to acquire those things they feel denied, and turn to violence, either against others or themselves.

Exactly.. In the case of minorities - blacks, you get the "deal with it" Card.

 

[The Kree]

First, this is not a topic to make people feel worse about themselves. Depression is a serious problem and I hope anyone suffering from it and contemplating suicide can get the help that they need. I was talking to a friend and she was talking about how suicide was most common among middle aged white men. I decided to look it up and came across this from a report for suicides from 2000-2015:


https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

Any studies or general thoughts on the wide differences? Minorities are on the low end, while whites are 2.5 to 3x higher. Is there anything culturally that would explain this?

My guess: one aspect would be that they're not bred to withstand adversity as well as minorities have been historically. All things being relative, etc.

 

[Five]

This sort of shit is just insulting.

How am I supposed to learn if you don't explain?

 

[The Spoony Hou]

Why do these particular races have high suicide rates

Maybe it's just white people culture.

 

[pretty done]

My theory on why men (particularly white men) have higher suicide rates is because our culture continues to tell them they are owed by society things like a successful job and family. So when those men are unable to acquire those things they feel denied, and turn to violence, either against others or themselves.

lol what in the world? Tales from your ass.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

My guess would be that they're not bred to withstand adversity as well as minorities have been historically. All things being relative, etc.

This was what I was thinking at first too, but look at that Native rate. Maybe it's because the degree of devastation was so extreme that there's a pervasive hopelesness

 

[Abstrusity]

Maybe it's just white people culture.

My gut says you aren't far off, but I need the receipts to quell my biases.

 

[Erevador]

It's hard to really call those just "White" things, but at the same time, perhaps it has something to do with how a lot of White people are right wing and don't give their children enough love and let them be who they want to be.

No.

By far the greatest number of suicides are among middle aged white men, not exactly a group I would describe as having their personal freedom invalidated by right wing parents.

The real cause is the collapse of their communities and the loss of the jobs that these particular groups were employed in, namely factory work, construction, etc...

The traditional industries that supported these men have disappeared as they hit middle age. The economic hit leads to depression and broken marriages, and then further isolation and substance abuse. Most middle aged men have substantially less developed social circles than women, so they end up truly alone when they are unemployed and left by romantic partners.

Suicide seems like the only option to many of these people as they watch their lives slip away from them.

It is much the same situation in Britain, where the suicide rates among men of the same age have gone through the roof.

 

[ezrarh]

Socially isolating environments don't help like many suburban, exurban and rural areas, especially with the loss of stable long term jobs for the uneducated. Especially as you get above your 30s when it's harder and harder to find friends if you're not already part of a community.

 

[JP_]

Also increased gun ownership. Guns account for half of all suicides. Consequently, areas with higher gun ownership lead to areas with higher successful suicide rates.

Was gonna ask -- what happens if you normalize for gun ownership.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

lol what in the world? Tales from your ass.

Tales? I said it was a theory. Do you understand what that means? Would love to hear what your theory on it is. If you're actually interested in contributing to the discussion, that is.

 

[Prost]

Could be religious based? Just a guess, but whites are probably more non-denominational, non-religious or atheist, where as the black and hispanic communities are rather religious and thus suicide would be more frowned on? This would also tie into a tighter knit community aspect, church groups, etc would provide more social support for a single middle aged man.

 

[Pancake Mix]

Looking at the map, it does appear to be more of middle America, but lacking a family group and hurting financially seems like it would be just as common among the other ethnicities.

Hurting financially, absolutely, but lacking a network of some sort...well not if you feel like you're a part of something and live near other people of the same group.

Whites and Native Americans are far, far more likely to live in rural areas. The declining living standards can take their toll.

 

[ugaboga232]

Its probably mostly access to guns, isolation, and drugs that spur this on. Probably not that heavily influenced by culture except that certain cultures combined with living in rural places could lead to increased isolation.

 

[Mawile]

No.

By far the greatest number of suicides are among middle aged white men, not exactly a group I would describe as having their personal freedom invalidated by right wing parents.

The real cause is the collapse of their communities and the loss of the jobs that these particular groups were employed in, namely factory work, construction, etc...

The traditional industries that supported these men have disappeared as they hit middle age. The economic hit leads to depression and broken marriages, and then further isolation and substance abuse. Most middle aged men have substantially less developed social circles than women, so they end up truly alone when they are unemployed and left by romantic partners.

Suicide seems like the only option to many of these people as they watch their lives slip away from them.

It is much the same situation in Britain, where the suicide rates among men of the same age have gone through the roof.

Although not denying what you're saying on the later part, who's not to say that it eventually overwhelms them over time as they hit the middle age point of their life?

-edit-

Seems the biggest rate are rural areas so I suppose I'm incorrect!

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

lol what in the world? Tales from your ass.

Increased opiate abuse and financial worry are two of the most common causes so...maybe not

 

[Obliterator]

No.

By far the greatest number of suicides are among middle aged white men, not exactly a group I would describe as having their personal freedom invalidated by right wing parents.

The real cause is the collapse of their communities and the loss of the jobs that these particular groups were employed in, namely factory work, construction, etc...

The traditional industries that supported these men have disappeared as they hit middle age. The economic hit leads to depression and broken marriages, and then further isolation and substance abuse. Most middle aged men have substantially less developed social circles than women, so they end up truly alone when they are unemployed and left by romantic partners.

Suicide seems like the only option to many of these people as they watch their lives slip away from them.

It is much the same situation in Britain, where the suicide rates among men of the same age have gone through the roof.

Pretty sure this is 100% on the money

Also if you notice the common thread for high suicide rate is living in rural areas. Both many Whites and Native Americans live in rural parts of the country

 

[HeartlessNobody213]

Can't speak for all black people but I think one factor is that for most part, from an early age we know life is already going to be shitty to us, so we sort of expect it.

Edit: also religion plays a factor as well. Especially in the black community.

 

[The Kree]

This was what I was thinking at first too, but look at that Native rate. Maybe it's because the degree of devastation was so extreme that there's a pervasive hopelesness

I dunno. Whites and tribal natives are at extreme ends of the spectrum to the point that the end result may be the same. But if you're black or Latino maybe there's a sort equilibrium that is established where its just enough to deal with.

 

[Abstrusity]

Tales? I said it was a theory. Do you understand what that means? Would love to hear what your theory on it is.

The correct way to put it is hypothesis. You have some semblance of data gathered scientifically (data+observations), and you're applying a seemingly likely solution.

Now we gather more data and observations and see if it's borne out through them. If so, we may be able to upgrade it to a theory.

This isn't some abstraction of anecdotes. If we want to fix these problems, we have to know their causes, likely causes, mitigating factors, internalities and externalities.

 

[Pancake Mix]

Historical adversity probably doesn't have as much of an effect when your entire rural community is depressed. I think some of you are overthinking this.

 

[Surface of Me]

My theory on why men (particularly white men) have higher suicide rates is because our culture continues to tell them they are owed by society things like a successful job and family. So when those men are unable to acquire those things they feel denied, and turn to violence, either against others or themselves.

Also increased gun ownership. Guns account for half of all suicides. Consequently, areas with higher gun ownership lead to areas with higher successful suicide rates.

IIRC, women attempt suicide more than men, but men are typically more successful. Men use guns, women dont.

 

[Foxix Von]

As someone working on tribal land... the Native American statistic unfortunately does not surprise me.

 

[vypek]

IIRC, women attempt suicide more than men, but men are typically more successful. Men use guns, women dont.

Yeah. Typically women will try something that will have an effect of poisoning them and it's much less effective

 

[NoblesseOblige]

The correct way to put it is hypothesis. You have some semblance of data gathered scientifically (data+observations), and you're applying a seemingly likely solution.

Now we gather more data and observations and see if it's borne out through them. If so, we may be able to upgrade it to a theory.

This isn't some abstraction of anecdotes.

I think for casual conversation 'theory' is succinct. Outside science class theory and hypothesis are basically synonyms. In any case I doubt very much the other user's issue was with my verbiage being less than technical.

 

[Obliterator]

IIRC, women attempt suicide more than men, but men are typically more successful. Men use guns, women dont.

This adds up then.

Basically you have the combination of rural areas really hurting and a high amount of gun ownership in more rural areas. Put the 2 together and you lead to the higher suicide rate

 

[Pancake Mix]

Better jobs and help for impoverished areas is obviously needed. The decline in decent-paying unskilled jobs isn't going away, so there's quite the problem right now.

 

[Wolf Dawgz]

As someone working on tribal land... the Native American statistic unfortunately does not surprise me.

It surprises me that its lower than the white population.

 

[family_guy]

Historical adversity probably doesn't have as much of an effect when your entire rural community is depressed. I think some of you are overthinking this.

Well if there's nothing holding you back like a family and friends, and your rural community is the issue, wouldn't it at least be worth the effort to try and move somewhere else before getting to the point of no return?

 

[besada]

IIRC, women attempt suicide more than men, but men are typically more successful. Men use guns, women dont.

Men are about three and a half more likely to succeed in a suicide attempt, and yes, the largest part of that is because they use firearms. The majority of firearm deaths are, in fact, suicides. An interesting note is that as women have purchased more guns, the rate of women using firearms to commit suicide has gone up. The numbers are still lower then men, but they're climbing.

 

[Abinash117]

No.

By far the greatest number of suicides are among middle aged white men, not exactly a group I would describe as having their personal freedom invalidated by right wing parents.

The real cause is the collapse of their communities and the loss of the jobs that these particular groups were employed in, namely factory work, construction, etc...

The traditional industries that supported these men have disappeared as they hit middle age. The economic hit leads to depression and broken marriages, and then further isolation and substance abuse. Most middle aged men have substantially less developed social circles than women, so they end up truly alone when they are unemployed and left by romantic partners.

Suicide seems like the only option to many of these people as they watch their lives slip away from them.

It is much the same situation in Britain, where the suicide rates among men of the same age have gone through the roof.

I think it could be community-based, or the lack of one. It could be possibly middle age white males don't have the community to gain support. If they do it it is most likely from an immediate family. If they lose a wife or never had one they might be more likely to be alone besides some friends.

 

[Imm0rt4l]

Yeah but doesn't certain race like African Americans have a stigma against therapy or was i being lied to.

it's an issue for sure