Suicide Deaths

In the five-year period between 2014 and 2018, there were 1,648 reported suicide deaths of Orange County residents. This translates to an average annual suicide rate of 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, and approximately 330 suicides per year during these five years.

Those affected most by suicide deaths fell into the following categories: those who were identified demographically as Non-Hispanic White, male, and middle-aged to older adult. 

The majority of suicide deaths were due to hanging/strangulation/suffocation, self-inflicted gunshot wounds (use of firearms and explosives), or self-poisoning (typically with medications).

White males most frequently died by firearms, while White females most frequently died by self-poisoning. Unlike Whites, Non-White males and females most commonly died by hanging or suffocation.

Suicide deaths affected middle-aged and older adult residents of Orange County more frequently compared to adolescents and younger adults. In particular, those 85 years and older had the highest age-specific rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000, almost double the county rate of suicide death at 10.3 deaths per 100,000. Middle-aged persons, 45 to 54 years (n=319) and 55 to 64 years (n=324) had the highest total number of suicide deaths during this five-year period. 

For those aged 65 years and over, the means of death was more frequently by firearm discharge (n=175, 46.8%). For those younger than 65, the means of death more frequently used was by hanging, strangulation or suffocation (n=461, 36.2%). Generally, the proportion of suicide deaths by hanging/suffocation progressively decreased with advancing age groups. Conversely, firearm suicide deaths increased in proportion with advancing age groups. Poisoning was frequently the third most prevalent means of suicide for each age group, after deaths by firearms and deaths by hanging/suffocation. The exception was among 65-84 year-olds, where poisoning was the second most common method (n=76, 24.0%).

Coastal cities tended to have higher rates of suicide deaths. The higher rates of suicide deaths in these cities are correlated with the higher populations of adults 55 years and older and Non-Hispanic White residents.

The map below depicts the rate of suicide deaths by each Orange County city. The darkest shades of orange are the areas with the highest suicide rates. In order to show the relationship to race and age, the cities with the highest percentages (in the top 25% of Orange County cities) of Non-Hispanic White residents are shown on the map below with a dotted pattern, and the cities with the highest percentages of adults 55 years and older are shown with a diagonal line pattern.

The two maps below also depict the same relationship between suicide and race (first map below) and age (second map). Using the "slider" on the map, one can see how the deepest shades of orange (which are the cities with the highest rates of suicide) correlate to higher percentage populations of Non-Hispanic Whites (darker shades of blue) and adults 55 years and older (darker shades of gray).

This correlation between suicide rates in a city and age and race is more obvious when looking at the maps above. Many of the cities in the highest percentile for the proportion of White residents and adults 55 years and older are located along Orange County's coast, where much of the highest rates of suicide death occur.

The suicide rate in Orange County has increased from 2000 to 2017 by 14%; however, the percent increase for the County is lower than the State (15% increase) and the US (35% increase).

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) supports a broad spectrum of behavioral health services, including prevention, early intervention, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, crisis and navigation services. Together these services make up a system of care that promotes help-seeking behaviors, strengthens protective factors and resiliency for individuals and families, increases access to the most appropriate level of care, and supports recovery for all. Ultimately, these services strive to prevent untreated mental illness and substance use disorders, including the devastating consequences of these untreated conditions, such as suicide.

Intervention Services includes the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a 24/7 toll-free suicide prevention hotline/chat/text service available to any Orange County resident experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts.

Furthermore, a continuum of telephone support includes the Orange County WarmLine, which provides telephone-based support, with extended nighttime and weekend hours to anyone struggling with mental health or substance use issues. The WarmLine works closely with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline to ensure the most appropriate level of support to callers.

Additional services available can be found in the Resources section in the  2014-2018 Suicide Deaths in Orange County, California  report.