Year: 2008 Source: Spokane, WA: Spokane Regional Health District, (November 2008), 6p. SIEC No: 20090415

Suicide is a tragic, preventable cause of death. The Washington State Department of Health reports that suicide was the second leading cause of death for individuals 15 to 24 years of age and the 9th leading cause of death for all individuals in both Washington State and Spokane County. Among Spokane County residents, each year there are an average of 800 emergency room (ER) visits for suicide attempts, 300 hospitalizations for suicide attempts, and 70 completed suicides. Inpatient hospitalizations identify the more severe suicide attempts. Among suicide hospitalizations, 90% were admitted through the ER and the remainder were admitted directly by their physician or were transferred from another facility.