What are the main methods of suicide among males?

Main Methods of Suicide Among Males

Firearms are the most common method of suicide among males in the United States, followed by suffocation/hanging and poisoning. 1

Primary Suicide Methods Used by Males

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the main methods of suicide among males are:

1. Firearms (42-45%) - Consistently the leading method for male suicide across age groups 1
2. Suffocation/Hanging (43%) - Nearly equal to firearms in frequency 1
3. Poisoning (6%) - Much less common in males than females 1
4. Jumping from heights (3%) - More common in urban areas 1

Gender Differences in Suicide Methods

The choice of suicide methods differs significantly between males and females:

• Males are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than females 1
• Males tend to choose more lethal methods (firearms, hanging) 1, 2
• Only 2% of male suicides are by ingestion/poisoning, compared to 16% of female suicides 1
• Males are more likely to use firearms, while females are more likely to use poisoning 3

Lethality of Methods

The case fatality rates (CFR) of different suicide methods explain why male suicide attempts are more often fatal 2:

• Firearms: 89.7% fatality rate
• Hanging/suffocation: 84.5% fatality rate
• Drowning: 80.4% fatality rate
• Poisoning: only 8.0% fatality rate

Geographic and Availability Factors

The choice of suicide method is strongly influenced by availability and geographic factors 1, 4:

• Rural areas: Higher use of firearms
• Urban areas: More jumping from heights
• Suburban areas: Higher rates of carbon monoxide poisoning (car exhaust)

Age-Related Patterns

• Among adolescent males, firearms and hanging are the predominant methods 1
• African-American teenage males showed a 300% increase in firearm suicides from 1980-1995, compared to a 29% increase among white teens 1
• Railway suicides and jumping from heights are over-represented in young males compared to adults 4

Clinical Implications for Prevention

• Restricting access to lethal means is a critical suicide prevention strategy, particularly for males 1, 4
• Firearms in the home, regardless of storage methods, are associated with higher risk of completed adolescent suicide 1
• Proper firearm security (keeping weapons locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored separately) can reduce risk 1
• Screening for suicidal ideation should be particularly thorough in males with access to firearms 1

Risk Factors Specific to Male Suicide

Males with the following risk factors warrant particular attention 1:

• History of substance abuse
• Impulsivity and aggression
• Recent psychosocial stressors (relationship problems, legal troubles)
• American Indian/Alaska Native males (highest suicide rates among ethnic groups)
• LGBTQ+ identification

Understanding the predominant methods used by males in suicide is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies, with particular emphasis on restricting access to firearms and addressing the underlying psychiatric conditions that contribute to suicidal behavior.