Data on Suicide and Self Harm

For additional information and years of archived reporting, please see the California Violent Death Reporting System (CalVDRS) webpage

Data Dashboards

Information on available data on the number of suicides or mental health concerns in California

Surveillance of suicide is done using vital statistics data. The most up-to-date data tables for violence-related causes of death, including suicide, can be found here: Preliminary Monthly Statewide Violence-Related Death Counts (PDF). These data show monthly counts of deaths using preliminary vital statistics data and are updated quarterly. The data are considered preliminary/provisional and can be changed in the future as causes of death are confirmed. Under typical circumstances, it may take several months for a death to be confirmed as suicide. Entities that complete death certificates and determine the cause of death (e.g., coroners and medical examiners) may also be currently experiencing backlogs which can delay determination of the cause of death. Death data can take a full year to be finalized and the most current final vital statistics data are available on the EpiCenter Dashboard.

Although IVPB does not directly monitor mental health across the state, data on adult/teen perceived need, access and use of mental health services and overall mental health status can be found within the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Suicide Rates by County

Age-Adjusted Suicide Rate by County in California, 2018–2020

The overall suicide rate in California is 10.5, the highest county rate is in Shasta County (24.9) and the lowest rate is in Imperial County (5.8).

County	Count	Rate	Lower CI	Upper CI	Rank Highest to Lowest Rate
California (Overall)	13,073	10.5	10.3	10.7	-
Alameda	470	8.8 ‡	8.0	9.6	37
Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono and Tuolumne	142	23.8 **	19.9	27.8	3
Butte	142	22.5 **	18.8	26.3	6
Colusa, Glenn and Tehama	67	17.2 *	13.1	21.3	10
Contra Costa	339	9.2 †	8.2	10.2	35
Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou and Trinity	112	23.1 **	18.8	27.4	4
El Dorado	100	16.8 **	13.5	20.1	11
Fresno	325	11.0	9.8	12.2	27
Humboldt	93	22.7 **	18.1	27.3	5
Imperial	32	5.8 ‡	3.8	7.8	44
Kern	352	13.6 **	12.1	15.0	17
Kings	63	14.8 *	11.1	18.5	13
Lake	49	24.9 **	17.9	31.8	2
Los Angeles	2,651	8.2 ‡	7.9	8.5	40
Madera	52	11.3	8.2	14.3	25
Marin	122	14.6 *	12.0	17.2	14
Mendocino	60	20.8 **	15.5	26.0	8
Merced	71	9.2	7.0	11.3	36
Monterey	130	9.6	8.0	11.3	33
Napa	52	10.9	7.9	13.8	28
Nevada	66	21.3 **	16.2	26.5	7
Orange	1,014	9.9	9.3	10.5	31
Placer	173	12.5	10.6	14.4	20
Riverside	891	11.9 *	11.1	12.7	22
Sacramento	598	12.6 **	11.6	13.6	19
San Benito	16	8.4	4.3	12.5	39
San Bernardino	718	11.2	10.4	12.0	26
San Diego	1,280	12.3 **	11.7	13.0	21
San Francisco	244	7.9 ‡	6.9	8.9	42
San Joaquin	251	10.8	9.5	12.2	29
San Luis Obispo	146	16.2 **	13.5	18.8	12
San Mateo	216	8.5 †	7.3	9.6	38
Santa Barbara	164	11.3	9.6	13.0	24
Santa Clara	503	8.2 .‡	7.5	8.9	41
Santa Cruz	114	12.9	10.5	15.2	18
Shasta	137	24.9 **	20.7	29.0	1
Solano	189	14.0 *	12.0	16.0	15
Sonoma	228	13.9 **	12.1	15.8	16
Stanislaus	186	11.4	9.7	13.0	23
Sutter	30	9.9	6.3	13.4	32
Tulare	105	7.8 †	6.3	9.2	43
Ventura	278	10.2	9.0	11.4	30
Yolo	56	9.2	6.8	11.7	34
Yuba	46	20.5 *	14.6	26.5	9

Note: Significantly above the state rate (*p< 0.05, **p< 0.001). Significantly below the state rate (†p< 0.05, ‡p< 0.001). The confidence interval (CI) provides information on the precision of the rates being shown. Estimates with wide confidence intervals are less stable and should be interpreted with caution, especially when comparing the estimate to another group or over time. The total number of suicides listed for California 2018–2020 has been updated as of 6/10/22. Sources: California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Vital Statistics Death Files (2018–2020); Department of Finance P-3 Population Projection File (2010–2060).

Other Violence-Related Reports and Resources

Need Support Now?

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors that provide free and
confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

988 Línea de prevencion del suicidio y crisis

Si tú o alguien que conoces necesita apoyo, llama al 988 (servicio en español) o envía un texto al 988 o chat vía 988lifeline.org (en inglés).

Veterans Crisis Line Dial 988 then Press 1

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