Washington suicide rate rises in 2025, with increases among youth, older adults and rural communities

For immediate release: October 26, 2026 (26-061)

OLYMPIA – At least 1,352 Washington residents died by suicide in 2025, at a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 people, according to new data from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Adults 65 and older saw the largest increase in deaths of any age group, from a rate of 19.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2024 up to 23.3 in 2025. Other significant rate increases were among youth ages 10 to 17, people living in rural communities, and American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic people.

The 2025 State Suicide Report (PDF) indicates an increase in Washington’s suicide rate from 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2024, but that rate remains below the 2017 peak of 16.9 deaths per 100,000. Washington’s suicide rate is higher than the national average of 13.7 deaths per 100,000, according to preliminary data from the CDC, but lower than rates in Oregon (19.6), Idaho (20.6), and Alaska (31.0).

“Every number in this report is a person – someone’s child, parent, friend, or neighbor,” said Michele Roberts, assistant secretary of DOH’s Prevention and Community Health Division. “These increases are difficult to see, and they reinforce the importance of supporting people of all ages, including our young people. But suicide can be prevented – through better human connection, better support for our most at-risk communities, and better data. We will continue working with Tribal partners, schools, families, and communities across the state to make sure everyone knows help is available and how to reach it.”

More young people lost to suicide

Suicide deaths among youth ages 10 to 17 rose from a rate of 4.7 per 100,000 people in 2024 to 7.7 per 100,000 in 2025. Most of this increase was among male-identified youth. Among young people ages 10 to 17, the largest increase in number of suicide deaths was among 12-year-olds and 17-year-olds.

Higher rates in rural communities

Some rural counties saw the number of suicide deaths double or even triple from 2024 to 2025. Because rates are based on population size, even a few more deaths can cause a big jump in a small community’s rate. This means rural areas can have higher rates than cities, even though most suicide deaths overall happen in larger counties.

Increases among American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic people

Suicide rates among American Indian/Alaska Native people remain much higher than the statewide rate. Their rate of 28.8 per 100,000 people in 2025 was 86% higher than the state’s overall rate. Among Hispanic people, the rate rose from 8.5 in 2024 to 9.9 in 2025 per 100,000. Rates also rose among White, non-Hispanic people (from 15.8 in 2024 to 17.6 in 2025 per 100,000) and Black, non-Hispanic people (from 11.9 in 2024 to 13.9 in 2025 per 100,000).

Prevention strategies and encouraging data

The reason for these increases is difficult to determine because the underlying causes of suicide are a complex mix of biological, social, and environmental factors. In May 2025, DOH released the 2025 State Suicide Prevention Plan (PDF), a 10-year strategic vision for reducing deaths by suicide in Washington state. The primary tenets of the plan focus on enhancing well-being and connectedness as a key protective factor, developing multi-sector suicide prevention strategies, improving treatment and support services, and increasing research and data collection for suicide prevention.

One program that has resulted from this work is Washington’s Find Your People, a tool that helps people find opportunities for social connection in their local communities based on shared interests, abilities and experiences. While Find Your People primarily focuses on supporting older adults, this tool is open to all Washington residents looking for ways to enrich their personal connections with others.

Additionally, a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was linked to fewer suicide deaths among teens and young adults across the U.S. The drop was larger in states where more people used 988, including Washington, which has seen a similar trend.

Where to get help

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:

Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For help in Spanish, press 2 or text AYUDA to 988. American Indian and Alaska Native people in Washington can press 4 to reach the Native and Strong Lifeline, staffed by Native crisis counselors.
Crisis Text Line focuses on both crisis intervention and prevention, providing free, 24/7, confidential support through a text-based platform. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States.
The AgriStress Helpline is a crisis line for people working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. It includes crisis and emotional support, suicide intervention and prevention, and a database of both mental health and agriculture-related resources. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 833-897-2474.
Learn the warning signs and how to help on the DOH Suicide Prevention webpage.

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