Every year, hundreds of people die by suicide in Atlanta, Georgia, and nearby cities. We can all play a role in ending this public health crisis by understanding the scope of the problem, being able to identify risk factors and warning signs, and knowing how to get help when necessary.
At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, our team provides compassionate care in a safe and highly supportive environment for adults who have been experiencing suicidal ideation and other mental health concerns.
Learn more about mental health treatment in Atlanta or verify your insurance now.
Suicide in Atlanta, Georgia
In Georgia, suicide deaths are tracked by the state’s Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).
The DBHDD does not specifically track suicide in Atlanta, Georgia, as its data is organized on a regional basis. However, we can get an idea of the recent prevalence of suicide in Atlanta by reviewing information from Region 3. This region includes Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, as well as Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale counties.
According to a DBHDD report from 2025, Region 3 had the lowest overall suicide death rate among the state’s six regions in 2024.
The 2025 report also included annual suicide deaths in Region 3 for the previous five years:
- 2024: 433 deaths by suicide (which equates to an age-adjusted rate of 12.4 per 100,000 residents)
- 2023: 415 (12.1 per 100,000)
- 2022: 431 (12.8 per 100,000)
- 2021: 452 (13.5 per 100,000)
- 2020: 322 (9.6 per 100,000)
Men and boys accounted for 80% of all suicide deaths in Atlanta and the rest of Region 3 in 2024, while the other 20% involved women and girls. The rate was highest among young adults in the 18-24 age range.
Suicide Throughout Georgia
For the five years covered in the DBHDD’s 2025 report, the rate of suicide in Atlanta, Georgia and the rest of Region 3 was lower than the state average each year.
Suicide deaths throughout Georgia from 2020-2024:
- 2024: 1,635 deaths by suicide (which equates to an age-adjusted rate of 14.2 per 100,000 residents)
- 2023: 1,658 (14.7 per 100,000)
- 2022: 1,626 (14.9 per 100,000)
- 2021: 1,659 (15.1 per 100,000)
- 2020: 1,488 (13.7 per 100,000)
Additional statewide information from the DBHDD’s 2025 report:
- Men and boys accounted for 82% of suicide deaths.
- Women and girls accounted for 18% of suicide deaths.
- The rate of death by suicide was highest among adults ages 25-42.
- Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among adolescents age 10-14.
How does Georgia compare to other states? That depends on how the data is expressed.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only six states recorded more suicide deaths than Georgia did in 2024. However, that statistic can be misleading, as it doesn’t take each state’s overall population into account.
A better way to compare states is by number of suicide deaths per 100,000 residents. By that measure, 31 states had a higher suicide rate than Georgia did in 2024.
Suicide Risk Factors & Warning Signs
Discussions of suicide in Atlanta, Georgia, and elsewhere often involve two questions that are extremely difficult to answer:
- Why do people end their own lives?
- What are the signs that someone is considering suicide?
Risk Factors
There is no way to know the motivations behind every person who has died by suicide. But there are a range of factors that may increase a person’s risk.
Possible suicide risk factors include:
- Mental illnesses (see below for more specific information)
- History of abuse, neglect, or other trauma
- Being bullied or harassed either in person or online
- Having a prior suicide attempt
- Death of a loved one by suicide
- End of a relationship or other significant loss
- Chronic pain and other serious medical concerns
- Job loss and financial problems
- Excessive substance use
- Personality traits such as impulsivity and aggressiveness
- Being a member of a marginalized community
According to a January 2023 review in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, mental illnesses that have been linked with an increased risk of suicide include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders (addictions)
Other mental health conditions that may increase a person’s risk of suicide include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and certain eating disorders.
Warning Signs
Identifying people who in imminent danger of suicide is far from an exact science.
Not everyone who dies by suicide exhibits warning signs. And not everyone who exhibits warning signs attempts to end their own life.
However, the following behaviors could indicate that a person is considering suicide:
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Ending their involvement with groups, clubs, or activities that are important to them
- Giving away items of significant sentimental value
- Searching online for methods of suicide
- Stating that they wish they had never been born or could simply disappear
- Acting with uncharacteristic anger, irritability, or aggression
- Significant unexplained changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and appearance
- Suddenly seeming calm and at peace after an extended period of emotional anguish
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you know is at risk, please know that help is available.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
In the U.S., you can get immediate assistance by calling or texting 988 or by visiting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.
Features of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
- Free resource staffed 24/7 by trained counselors
- Accessible by phone call, text, or online chat
- Counseling in English and Spanish
- Videophone support for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals
- Specialized services for military veterans
The counselor who takes your call can talk to you about any problems or concerns you’re having, for as long as you need to talk. If necessary, they can also connect you with appropriate support services in your area.
Other Emergency Hotlines
Other hotlines and emergency resources for individuals who are considering suicide or experiencing other crises in the U.S:
- The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or chat with a counselor online.
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 800-656-HOPE (4673), text HOPE to 64673 or chat with a counselor online. Help is available in English and Spanish.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or chat with a counselor online.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call 800-422-4453, text GO to 800-422-4453, or chat with a counselor online.
Non-Emergency Suicide Prevention Resources
Non-emergency suicide prevention resources, including national organizations and groups based in Atlanta and Georgia:
- American Society for Suicide Prevention (ASFP)
- The Jason Foundation
- The Jed Foundation
- Georgia DBHDD Suicide Prevention Program
- ASFP Georgia Chapter
- What Atlanta Gives
Find Help for Suicidal Thoughts and Other Mental Health Concerns in Atlanta
North Atlanta Behavioral Health offers customized outpatient services for adults whose lives have been disrupted by suicidal ideation and other mental health concerns. We also provide dual diagnosis programming for clients with co-occurring addictions to alcohol and other drugs.
Treatment at our center in Atlanta, GA, includes a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (IOP). In both programs, you will work with a team of dedicated professionals a safe and highly supportive environment.
Call 770-230-5699 today to learn more or verify your insurance now.
