March 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- One San Diegan commits suicide every day. We read of the most spectacular cases in the press, but on average, 365 local residents take their own lives. According to the County, “…as a cause of non-natural death, suicide ranks second, behind only drug/alcohol overdoses, and ahead of motor vehicle crashes.” http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/phs/documents/CHS-SuicideReport_2011.pdf

How does this compare to the national rates? San Diego actually has a higher suicide rate than the nation at large. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide ranks tenth in causes of death nationwide. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm

Why are so many more San Diegans killing themselves? People are also killing others, as in the case of several murder-suicides in East County over the past year. After repeated questions to the County Health Department, we found no conclusive answers. The economy, domestic violence, and mental illness were factors in some, but not all of the cases.

These statistics are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Suicide rates also vary according to age populations, ethnic groups and location in the county.