The Suicide Problem – Delaware County
1990-2003
Frederic M. Hellman. MD, MBA
Chief Medical Examiner, Delaware County
Reported Suicides over Period
- Total deaths = 791
- Average deaths per year = 57
- Rate (deaths/100,000 residents) = 10.3
Gender and Race
- Males (624 deaths) = 79%
- Females (167 deaths) = 21%
- Caucasians = 88%
- Other = 12%
Age of Victims
- Ages 13-20 (49 deaths) = 6.2%
- Ages 21-25 (74 deaths) = 9.4%
- Age 65/Over (136 deaths) = 17.2%
Method/Means - All Ages
- Firearms (54 deaths) = 36%
- Hanging (33 deaths) = 22%
- Overdose (34 deaths) = 23%
- Carbon Monoxide (2 deaths) = 1%
- Other (27 deaths) = 18%
Method/Means – Youths
- Firearms (54 deaths) = 44%
- Hanging (36 deaths) = 29%
- Overdose (15 deaths) = 12%
- Carbon Monoxide (5 deaths) = 4%
- Other (13 deaths) = 11%
Source: Excerpted from Dr. Hellman’s presentation "Suicide Prevention: Turning a National Imperative into a Delaware County Reality" at the Delaware County Suicide Prevention Awareness Task Force Workshop, December 2, 2003, Drexelbrook Conference Center, Drexel Hill, PA.