NYC Suicide Rates Drop Overall, Demographic Disparities Remain

two empty fabric armchairs facing each other in a modest community health clinic office, a small coffee table with a box of tissues between them, a window showi

AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.

Overall Decline in Suicide Rates in New York City

Newly released data from the New York City Department of Health indicates that suicide deaths in the city have declined overall in recent years. In 2024, there were 535 deaths by suicide, down from a peak of 601 in 2022. The city’s suicide rate now stands at 5.9 deaths per 100,000 people—less than half the national rate, which is 13.7 deaths per 100,000 over the same period.

Inequities Remain Across Groups

Despite the overall decrease, the statistics reveal ongoing disparities in suicide rates across gender, age, racial, and ethnic groups:

Manhattan had the highest suicide rate of any borough in 2024.
Adults aged 18 to 24 experienced the highest suicide rates citywide.
Men in New York City were more than twice as likely as women to die by suicide.
White and Latino men saw higher suicide rates than Black, Asian, and Pacific Islander men in 2024.
The suicide rate among Latinos increased from 3.8 per 100,000 in 2015 to 5.4 per 100,000 in 2024.

Dr. Alister F. Martin, the city health commissioner, noted, “While there has been a decline (citywide), we continue to lose too many New Yorkers to suicide.”

Latino Suicide Rates and Social Determinants

Dr. Barbara Trejo Ortega, psychiatrist and director of La Clínica at Maimonides Health, shared insights on the mental health challenges facing Latino New Yorkers. She noted that Latino individuals are accounting for more suicide attempts than expected, given their share of the city population. According to Dr. Trejo Ortega, social determinants of health—such as barriers to healthcare, housing insecurity, food insecurity, and the impact of anti-immigrant sentiment—are significant contributors to mental health struggles and higher suicide rates in this community.

Mental Health Services and Culturally Relevant Care

La Clínica, an outpatient mental health program at Maimonides Health, was established to meet the growing demand for mental health services among Spanish-speaking patients in Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods. The program emphasizes matching patients with providers who speak Spanish and share cultural backgrounds, which can foster trust and improve outcomes. Therapy groups specifically for Latino men in Spanish have also been initiated to address unique barriers to care.

"When you feel connected to your provider and share a language or cultural background, it becomes much easier to discuss sensitive issues and feel seen and understood," said Dr. Trejo Ortega. Patient feedback has underlined the importance of culturally and linguistically competent care in mental health prevention and treatment.

Barriers to Mental Health Access

The clinic’s experience highlights that access to therapy, medication management, and social services remains a key challenge for many Latino New Yorkers. Staff work to help patients connect with housing resources, food assistance, and other services, recognizing the difficulty of managing anxiety or depression when basic needs are unmet.

Concerns about immigration status and sharing personal information with therapists are common among undocumented New Yorkers, according to Dr. Trejo Ortega. Clear communication about confidentiality and the option of virtual appointments are among the strategies the clinic uses to foster trust and ensure access to care.