Cost of Suicide

An individual who has lost a loved one to suicide is considered a suicide survivor. Survivors of suicide have a higher risk of suicide themselves. They often experience intense and complex grief that may be accompanied by feelings of guilt, which can increase risk of suicide. Due to the stigma surrounding suicide, they may find it hard to seek support for these feelings. Increased risk can also be partly explained by familial relation and genetic components of mental illness, in the case of a relative's death by suicide.

Suicide can have a significant impact on communities. In addition to the shock and grief that accompanies a death, there can also be suicide clusters, meaning multiple suicides in a short period of time in that geographic area. Suicide clusters are relatively rare, but are most commonly seen in teens or young adults. Rural communities may have a higher risk of suicide clusters given the tight-knit nature of many towns.

There is also an economic cost associated with suicide. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, suicide and emergency department visits for nonfatal self-harm injuries cost society about $510 billion per year in 2015-2020. Suicide prevention programs, particularly those that also focus on building community resilience after a suicide, may help reduce the economic costs of suicide as well as the psychological effects.

Resources to Learn More

Suicide Grief
Website
Provides healthy coping strategies and resources to help individuals in the aftermath of a loved one's suicide.
Organization(s): Mayo Clinic