Suicide and Suicidal Attempts in the United States: Costs and Policy Implications |
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| Authors: | Donald S. Shepard PhD Deborah Gurewich PhD Aung K. Lwin MBBS MS Gerald A. Reed PhD MSW Jr Morton M. Silverman MD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA;2. Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Shrewsbury, MA, USA;3. Education Development Center Suicide Prevention and Resource Center, Waltham, MA, USA |
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| Abstract: | The national cost of suicides and suicide attempts in the United States in 2013 was $58.4 billion based on reported numbers alone. Lost productivity (termed indirect costs) represents most (97.1%) of this cost. Adjustment for under‐reporting increased the total cost to $93.5 billion or $298 per capita, 2.1–2.8 times that of previous studies. Previous research suggests that improved continuity of care would likely reduce the number of subsequent suicidal attempts following a previous nonfatal attempt. We estimate a highly favorable benefit–cost ratio of 6 to 1 for investments in additional medical, counseling, and linkage services for such patients. |
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