Suicide Prevention: Data

Data sources

The data presented in the dashboard come from Wisconsin Death Records (Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services) and the Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention).

Death record data include all Wisconsin residents who have died, including those who died out of state. These data are used for the trend line graphic, the bar charts based on demographic selections, the map, the methods sections, and, for data presented in the Wisconsin veteran section, data related to percentage of suicides and use of firearm by veteran status. These data are based on a dataset that remains active and is updated with corrections and additions to death records. Data presented here may not match with the Wisconsin annual death reports or other Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH) mortality modules as new or corrected deaths by suicide may be added after these other reports have been published.

The Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System (WVDRS) data presented here are limited to Wisconsin residents who died within the state. In 2022, WVDRS reported 1% (10) fewer Wisconsin residents who died by suicide compared with the Wisconsin death record data. WVDRS data are used in the sections related to circumstance of death (see below for more detail).

Suicide codes

The data in the dashboard are based on ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) coding. The following are the specific codes indicating an underlying cause of death as suicide.

ICD-10 Codes	Description
X72-X74	Firearm discharge: any type
X60-X69	Poisoning: by medications, drugs and biological substances, and other substances such as toxic effects of cleaning fluids
X70	Suffocation: hanging, strangulation, and suffocation
X75-X84, X71, Y870, U03	Other methods: drowning/submersion, explosive material, fire/flame, hot vapors/objects, blunt or sharp object, jumping from a high place, jumping or lying in front of a moving object, crashing of a motor vehicle, and other specified methods

Rates

The rates are calculated by dividing the number of resident deaths per year by the population. It is usually expressed as the number per 100,000 residents. For example, the overall suicide rate for Wisconsin is based on the following calculation: [number of suicide deaths ÷ total Wisconsin population]*100,000. If a rate is based on a sub-population, the calculation might look like this: [number of suicide deaths among males aged 25 to 34 ÷ total Wisconsin population of males aged 25 to 34]*100,000.

When making comparisons between populations, it is recommended to select rate instead of count as this accounts for differences in population size and age composition.

If a rate is based on a count of less than 20, it is considered unstable and an asterisk (*) will appear instead of a rate. Additionally, if the count for a specific age or racial category is less than 10, an asterisk will appear instead of a number.

Population estimates are based on data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and are updated annually.

Age-adjusted rates

Age-adjusted rates are provided throughout the dashboard for all data except when selecting data by Age (see Age-specific rates below). Age-adjusted rates are recommended when making comparisons between two populations (for example, rural county rates compared to urban county rates) or two different time periods (for example, 2018 rates compared to 2020). Age-adjustment accounts for differences in age composition across populations and time. The Standard U.S. Population for Year 2000 for age-adjustment is used in this dashboard.

The age groups used to create the age-adjusted rates are those detailed in the dashboard (see selection of count or rate by Age or Age*Sex).

Age-specific rates

Age-specific rates are provided when Age or Age*Sex is selected in the dashboard. An age-specific rate is calculated by dividing the total number of deaths for the specific age group of interest by the total population of that age group. This is also known as an observed or unadjusted rate.

The age groups reported here are based on 10-year age groups starting at age 25 and older as is standard for reporting surveillance data and calculating rates. For those under age 24, the ages 0 to 9, 10 to 17, and 18-24 were combined.

Race and ethnicity

Race and ethnicity data are collected and reported on death records. This information is recorded by a funeral director or person serving in that role. Wisconsin law requires this information be obtained from next of kin or best qualified person or source available. In this dashboard, data are not displayed for unknown race or unknown ethnicity. Unknown race and unknown ethnicity account for less than 1% of people who died by suicide. Additionally, race and ethnicity are reported separately. This means that race information includes both Hispanic or Latino/a/x and non-Hispanic ethnicity. Alternatively, classification as Hispanic or Latino/a/x includes all races, as does non-Hispanic.

This dashboard uses population estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau for the following racial categories: American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Black or African American, White, and “two or more races.”

Veteran status

If the deceased ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces (information provided by a family member or qualified informant), this was noted in the death record, and they are identified as a veteran in this dashboard. Less than 0.5% of Wisconsin adults who die by suicide have “unknown” veteran status in their death record. These deaths are classified as non-veteran in this dashboard.

Rural/urban county residency

County rural and urban designations can vary based on which methodology is used. The rural and urban breakdown used on this dashboard is based on the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health's Rural Wisconsin Health report. A link to this report as well as a list of rural and urban classification of Wisconsin counties is available on the WISH: Urban and Rural Counties page on the DHS website. 

Suicide methods

The methods detailed in the dashboard include firearm, poisoning (including medication, drugs, and biological substances, as well as other substances, such as toxic effects of cleaning fluids), suffocation, and “other methods.” “Other methods” includes drowning/submersion, explosive material, fire/flame, hot vapors/objects, blunt or sharp object, jumping from a high place, jumping or lying in front of a moving object, crashing of a motor vehicle, and other specified methods. The data presented in this section of the dashboard are based on Wisconsin Death Records.

See above for a list of the specific codes for each method displayed.

Decedent background and related circumstances

The Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System (WVDRS) is an active, state-based surveillance system that collects information on homicides, suicides, deaths of undetermined intent (that is, those for which available information is insufficient to enable a medical or legal authority to make a distinction among unintentional injury, self-harm, or assault), deaths from legal intervention (for example, involving a person killed by an on-duty police officer), and unintentional firearm deaths.

WVDRS uses a multisource approach (that is, death records, coroner/medical examiner reports, law enforcement records, and toxicology data) for analysis of violent deaths. Using these sources, abstractors collect data on the incident, victim(s), suspect(s), and weapon(s) used as well as the circumstances contributing to the death. Circumstance data is obtained from non-decedents, typically family members or close friends. However, others may be interviewed by the coroner, medical examiner, or law enforcement if this is determined pertinent.

Data presented in the mental health concerns, suicidal thoughts and history, and problems that contributed to death sections of the dashboard are based on WVDRS data (specifically data obtained from coroners, medical examiners, and/or law enforcement reports). Additionally, data related to the percentage of veteran and non-veteran deaths for which a physical health problem contributed to suicide also comes from WVDRS data.

In 2022, 90% of Wisconsin resident suicides in WVDRS had known circumstances. This means that at least one circumstance associated with the suicide was noted in the coroner/medical examiner or law enforcement report. This does not necessarily mean that no other circumstances were present; it could mean that they were not known or not reported. Due to this method of collection by coroners, medical examiners, and law enforcement, circumstance data may be underreported.

Definitions of the circumstance variables are as follows:

Mental health concerns section

Current mental health concern

The deceased had been identified as having a mental health concern at the time of fatal injury. Mental health concerns include those disorders and syndromes listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) except for alcohol and other substance use disorders which are noted in other variables (see alcohol use concern and substance use concern below).

Current treatment for mental health concern

The deceased was in treatment for a mental health concern or substance use concern. For example, they had a current prescription for a psychiatric medication, saw a mental health professional within the two months prior to death, or participated in treatment for substance use at the time of the injury. Treatment can include: seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist, medical doctor, therapist, or other counselor (including religious or spiritual counselors) for a mental health or substance use concern; receiving a prescription for an antidepressant or other psychiatric medicine; attending anger management classes; residing in an inpatient unit, group home, or halfway house facility for mental health or substance use disorder; or participating in Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous.

Alcohol use concern

The deceased was perceived by self or others to have an issue with, or be addicted to, alcohol at the time of death. This includes someone who was participating in an alcohol rehabilitation program or treatment, including self-help groups and 12-step programs.

Substance use concern

The deceased was perceived by self or others to have an issue with, or be addicted to, drugs other than alcohol at the time of death. This includes someone who was participating in a drug rehabilitation program or treatment, including self-help groups and 12-step programs.

Suicidal thoughts and history section

History of suicidal ideation

The deceased had expressed suicidal thoughts or plans at any time before the fatal incident. Disclosure of suicidal thoughts or plans can be verbal, written, or electronic. Suicidal ideation can be expressed directly (for example, “I am thinking about killing myself”) or indirectly (for example, “I don’t know if I want to go on living”).

History of suicide attempts

The deceased had attempted to die by suicide at any time before the fatal incident, regardless of the severity of those attempts or whether those attempts resulted in injury. Evidence of a history of suicide attempts includes self-report and/or report or documentation from others including family, friends, and/or health professionals.

Suicidal intent recently disclosed

The deceased disclosed to another person their thoughts and/or plans to die by suicide within the month prior to death. Disclosure of suicidal thoughts or plan can be verbal, written, or electronic.

Problems that contributed to death section

Intimate partner problem

Problems with a current or former girlfriend/boyfriend, dating partner, ongoing sexual partner, or spouse, such as a divorce or break-up, argument, jealousy, or conflict, appear to have contributed to the death.

Financial problem

Problems with finances, such as bankruptcy, overwhelming debts, or foreclosure of a home or business, appear to have contributed to the death.

Job or employment problem

Problems at work (such as tensions with a co-worker or boss, poor performance reviews, increased pressure, feared layoff, or being demoted) or joblessness (for example, the deceased was recently laid off or fired or was having difficulty finding a job) appear to have contributed to the death. Unemployment is not considered a problem unless there was an indication that the deceased was having trouble finding or keeping a job.

Physical health problem

Problems with an actual or suspected physical health problems (such as terminal disease, debilitating condition, or chronic pain) appear to have contributed to the death. “Debilitating” conditions would leave the deceased confined to a bed, oxygen dependent, or requiring basic daily care from another person. Health problems are based on the deceased’s perception. If they believed they suffered from a physical health problem, and this belief contributed to their death, it does not matter if the health problem was ever treated or diagnosed.

School problem

Problems at, or related to, school (such as being upset over poor grades, difficulty with a teacher, bullying, social exclusion at school, school detention/suspension, or performance pressures) appear to have contributed to the death.

Family problem

Problems with a family member other than an intimate partner (for example, a child, mother, or an in-law) appear to have contributed to the death.