Ohio Suicide Deaths Decline for First Time in 3 Years

The number of suicide deaths in Ohio declined for the first time in three years in 2023, decreasing about 1% from 2022’s numbers, according to the 2023 Ohio Suicide Report released Thursday by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

Ohio deaths by suicides dropped to 1,777 in 2023 – 20 fewer than 2022. Ohio’s decrease compares favorably to national numbers. Across the country, suicide rates declined by less than 1% last year. In 2023, suicide remained the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10-14 and 20-34 and was the 12th-leading cause of death overall. On average, nearly five Ohioans died by suicide per day, including one individual age 10-24 every 36 hours.

In 2023, suicide remained the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10-14 and 20-34 and was the 12th-leading cause of death overall. On average, nearly five Ohioans died by suicide per day, including one individual age 10-24 every 36 hours. According to the report, White non-Hispanic males continued to lead all groups for suicide in 2023, accounting for 68.7 percent of all suicide deaths (1,441).

Other key findings of the 2023 report include the following:

• Black non-Hispanic females and White non-Hispanic females had the largest decreases in the rate of suicide deaths, both decreasing by 6 percent.
• Ohioans ages 45-54 was the age group with the highest rate of suicide deaths (20.1 per 100,000 population).
• Firearm was the mechanism used in over half (58.0 percent) of all suicide deaths (1,031).
• The number of suicide deaths by drug poisoning increased by 11 percent.

Ohio’s reduction in suicide deaths comes amid the state’s increased emphasis on mental health. Ohio has launched a series of initiatives to improve mental health and serve as a lifeline to people in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide, including the release in January of 2024 of the “2024-2026 Suicide Prevention Plan for Ohio”. Read OhioMHAS’ full media release here.