Nearly all U.S. adults agree that more action can be taken to reduce suicide deaths, with about three-fifths also reporting they have been personally affected by suicide, according to national survey data released Wednesday.
Sixty-one percent of adults said they know someone who has considered, attempted or died by suicide, according to the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll, conducted by The Harris Poll. The biennial survey found that number has consistently risen, from 53% in 2018 to 55% in 2020 and 59% in 2022. The poll—a joint effort led by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention at EDC and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center—also found that 25% of U.
S. adults have thought about or attempted suicide themselves. Adults who have experienced thoughts of suicide are also increasingly open to speaking to others, with 82% open to this in 2024—a 9% increase over 2018.
Nearly all adults—93%—said they believe more action can be taken to prevent and reduce suicide deaths , with a majority pointing to greater access to mental health care , increased education for health care professionals and more education for the general public about suicide prevention initiatives. "The public sees it and is reporting it as a major public health issue," said Colleen Carr, director of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a public-private partnership, during a call with reporters. Sh.