Suicide Prevention

For All Ages: 

• In 2024, Oregon’s suicide rate increased from 19.4 per 100,000 to 20.0 per 100,000. In 2024, 941 Oregonians died by suicide, compared to 888 in 2023. The increase in 2024 appears to be largely driven by increases in older adult suicide deaths and suicides among Oregonians living in urban counties. Between 2023 and 2024 older adult suicide deaths increased by nearly 18 percent.  
• Since 2000, Oregon has seen an overall increase in suicide rates, with the exception of a statistically significant decrease between 2019 and 2020 and stable rates between 2021 and 2023. This is similar to national trends. Oregon saw an increase in 2024 while the national suicide rate saw a slight decrease.   
• Oregon’s suicide rate is above the national average and has the 9th highest suicide rate in the United States.   
• Gender and racial disparities persist. Men continue to have the highest suicide rate across all age groups, with their risk peaking at age 85 and older. Women’s suicide rates rise with age and peak between ages 55 to 59. Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native individuals have the highest rate of suicide.  
• National data also shows disparities exist for individuals that identify as part of LGBTQIA2S+ communities. 
• Veterans continue to have significantly higher rates of suicide than the general population of Oregon (55.8 per 100,000).   
• Firearm suicide deaths increased between 2023 and 2024* continuing a trend of increasing firearm suicide deaths since 2021. Preliminary data in 2025* indicate that Oregon will see a continued increase in firearm suicide deaths.  
• Preliminary data for 2025*  indicate that Oregon will see a decrease in suicide deaths for all ages combined, though youth in Oregon will see an increase in suicide deaths.   

• In 2024, the Oregon youth suicide rate decreased slightly from 13.5 per 100,000 in 2023 to 13.2 per 100,000 in 2024. Statistically, these are similar rates.   
• In 2024, 101 Oregon youths died by suicide, compared to 102 in 2023**.   
• Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among people ages 5 to 24.  
  
• The Oregon youth suicide rate has been showing a decreasing trend since a peak in 2018 when there were 127 deaths.  
• There continue to be racial disparities in the data. Between 2018–2024:
  
• Non-Hispanic white youth suicide deaths decreased by 34%.
• Among youth of color (Hispanic, Asian, Black, Pacific Islander, two or more races) and American Indian or Alaska Native youth combined suicide deaths increased by 9%.  
  
• The national rate for youth suicide decreased slightly between 2023 and 2024. The 2024 data show that Oregon had the 15th highest youth suicide rate in the United States.  
• Oregon’s youth suicide rate remains above the national average (9.7 per 100,000).   
• Preliminary data for 2025* indicate that Oregon will see an increase in youth suicide rates. This increase appears to be largely driven by an increase in deaths of those aged 18-24. 
• Disparities exist in Oregon when examining gender identity and sexual orientation among youth in Oregon identified in the Student Health Survey data. Around half of students (in 6th, 8th and 11th grade) who identified as transgender and about one-third of students who identified as gender expansive had considered attempting suicide which is higher than their cisgender peers. Over a third of students who identified as having a sexual orientation other than straight reported having considered attempting suicide while under 10 percent of their straight peers reported similar thoughts.   
• National data also show suicide death disparities exist for youth that identify as part of LGBTQIA2S+ communities.