Suicide is a complex mental health and public health issue that deeply affects Marin County residents and communities. Tracking data around suicides is important for developing effective prevention and support strategies.
We recognize each 'data point' represents a life, a family, loved ones, pain and some cases recovery. This dashboard is created in honor of those who these statistics represent.
This first set of charts displays data on the number of suicide deaths that have occurred each year among Marin County residents. The next set compares the distribution of suicide deaths across demographic groups (orange bars) and the total Marin County population in those demographic groups (blue bars) to highlight which groups are disproportionately affected by suicide. The orange bars for any demographic category total 100% of suicides, and the blue bars total 100% of the Marin County population. The charts exclude San Quentin inmates.
This next set of charts and tables describe the distribution of visits to Marin County emergency departments related to self harm (orange bars) compared to the Marin County total population in each demographic group (blue bars). Self harm is the act of injuring your own body on purpose. Understanding more about self harm injuries can guide support and suicide prevention programs.
Patterns of Suicide Risk In Marin County
Firearms and Suicide
- Firearms are used in 26% of all suicide deaths, and are the second leading means of suicides among males
- Suicides make up nearly three in every four gun-related deaths
- Firearms are used in 60% of veteran suicide deaths
Overdoses and Suicide Death
- Poisonings (overdoses) are the leading means of suicide death among females
- Women ages 45-64 years are at greatest risk for overdose suicide deaths
Suicide and Self Harm Risk Groups
- Males make up 3/4 (74%) of Marin County suicide deaths
- Female residents are about two times more likely than males to have an emergency department visit for self harm injuries
- White residents are over-represented among those dying by suicide.
- African American/Black residents and residents between the ages of 15-24 are over-represented among those having an Emergency Departments visit for injuries from self harm
- Veterans are at four times greater risk than non-veterans of dying by suicide
About the Data
Mortality Data
Death Certificate data from California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI), Accessed via California Integrated Vital Records System (Cal-IVRS). Data are updated on a quarterly basis.
Final cause of death reporting on death certificates can take several months. As a result, the reported number of suicide deaths in the most recent year may be lower than they will be when all deaths for the year have final determinations.
Data recorded on death certificates for gender only includes Male or Female, limiting our understanding of the experience of those who may identify with other gender identities.
Determinations of the cause of death are made by the Coroner. Sometimes there is not enough information to determine suicidal intent, so potential suicides may be recorded as unintentional or undetermined on death certificates. The demographic groups most at risk may change over time, so we continue to update data quarterly to best target prevention efforts to the groups currently at highest risk.
Self Harm Data
Data from emergency department (ED) visits are from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) ED Data.
For more information on the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative:
- https://prevention.marinbhrs.org/suicide-prevention
- https://prevention.marinbhrs.org/men-and-boys-action-team-campaigns-and-engagement
- https://www.marinhhs.org/sites/default/files/files/servicepages/2020_01/marin_county_suicide_prevention_strategic_plan-final-jan_2020.pdf
There is help:
If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 988 Línea de Prevención del Suicido y Crisis.
To obtain a list of local resources, please visit https://prevention.marinbhrs.org/suicide-prevention
“Every Marin County resident may contribute to a culture that accepts each person for who they are, no matter whom they love or what challenges they may face; empowering others to find the strength to ask for help and lift those who feel alone.”
- Resolution by the Marin County Board of Supervisors, proclaiming September 2018 Suicide Prevention Month