Updated trends in suicidal ideation among U.S. adults, 2005-2012

Provide a recent update in the trends of suicidal ideation among adults in the United States from 2005 to 2012.

Data from four 2-year cycles (2005-2012) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used (analyzed in 2015). Suicidal ideation was assessed via self-report.

For the entire sample, as well as across age-groups, gender and race-ethnicity, there was no statistically significant change in "any suicidal ideations" from 2005-2006 to 2011-2012 (2.95% in 2005-2006 to 3.24% in 2011-2012; P-trendlinear=0.75). However, significant changes in suicidal ideations occurring nearly every day were observed. A linear trend (P=0.03) was present for the entire sample and for men; among the entire sample, the prevalence of having suicidal ideations nearly every day increased from 0.19% in 2005-2006 to 0.52% in 2011-2012. However, a quadratic trend was present for non-Hispanic white women (P=0.03) and Mexican American women (P=0.001).

Suicidal ideation occurring nearly every day has increased for men, but recent decreases have been observed for women of non-Hispanic white and Mexican American race-ethnicity. Continued outreach efforts, particularly among men, are needed to help prevent the development of suicidal ideations into suicidal behavior and occurrence.