Suicide has risen dramatically in Minnesota over the last 20 years, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
In 2022, 860 Minnesotans died by suicide. MDH has compiled preliminary data for 2023 which shows that 815 Minnesotans committed suicide that year. While the number of suicides decreased between the two years, Minnesota has seen a steady increase in the suicide rate over the last 20 years.
In 2003, the suicide rate in Minnesota was 9.8 suicides per hundred thousand people. According to the preliminary data from MDH, the suicide rate in 2023 was 14.1 suicides per hundred thousand people; a 44% increase in the suicide rate over the last two decades.
“Though it’s positive to see fewer deaths by suicide, even one is too many,” said MDH Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham, referring to the drop in the number of suicides from 2022 to 2023. “We want Minnesotans to know that suicide is preventable, and hope and help is out there. We must continue our work to promote resources like 988 as well as implement our state suicide prevention plan, which takes a comprehensive public health approach that supports connectedness, belonging and protections from lethal means.”
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national suicide prevention hotline that was established in 2022. The program was created to replace the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline with a number that is easier to remember and simpler to input. Individuals who are considering self-harm or experiencing suicidal ideation can call or text a trained counselor through the 988 Lifeline at any hour, any day of the year.
According to data from the National Institute of Health (NIH), the national suicide rate in the United States increased from 10.4 per hundred thousand people in 2000 to 14 per hundred thousand people in 2021 — a 34% increase.
In the United States, the suicide rate amongst men is roughly four times higher than the suicide rate amongst women. According to the NIH, the suicide rate amongst women was 5.7 per hundred thousand in 2021. The same year, the suicide rate amongst men was 22.8 per hundred thousand.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
