Job Problems in Suicide: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2020-2022

Job problems have been found to be a suicide risk factor among different workers and occupations. This analysis used National Violent Death Reporting System data to understand how job problems are characterized and identify common suicide-related job problems by industry and occupation.

National Violent Death Reporting System data from 2020 to 2022 for suicide decedents aged ≥18 years from 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were used. Industry and occupation were coded using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Industry & Occupation Computerized Coding System. The job problem variable is a dichotomous variable that was expanded to 9 categories using suicide case narratives. Multivariable logistic regression models calculating AORs compared circumstances between job-related suicides and non-job-related suicides. Analyses were conducted in 2024-2025.

The analysis identified 101,589 suicide decedents with at least 1 known circumstance endorsed; 8% (n=8,354) had a reported job problem. Decedents with job problems were mostly White (80%) and male (85%). Nearly 70% of job-related suicides were due to unemployment or job stress (n=5,652; 68%). There were differences in job problems across industry and occupation. Multivariable analyses found that the strongest risk factors for a job-related suicide compared with that of a non-job-related suicide were presence of a financial problem (AOR=9.70, 95% CI=9.15, 10.28) and current depressed mood (AOR=3.31, 95% CI=3.17, 3.47).

Findings show the significance of job-related suicide risk factors at the systemic and individual levels. Workplace suicide prevention efforts could be tailored to occupations, including supporting recently unemployed blue-collar workers and improving the psychosocial work environment for white-collar workers.