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Data
Accessing, using, and sharing data on suicide attempts and deaths is a key component of the ND HOPES initiative. There are various data sources and online tools that anyone can use to learn more about suicide-specific data both nationally and in North Dakota. Keep in mind that there is a reporting lag of two years for suicides and suicide attempts and, if you are looking for data in rural areas, you may need to look at multiple years of data to see trends due to the small numbers.
See below to access various resources, systems, tools, and databases.
ND HOPES Data Briefs
Data briefs with key findings that draw from various data sources. These briefs shift in focus, ranging from factsheets on suicide in Western North Dakota compared to the state and nation as a whole to a more targeted display of trends among disproportionately affected populations including veterans, rural residents, and youth.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
The YRBS is a survey distributed every other year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to a representative sample of high school students grades 9-12. Users can search the data that is housed in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System for information on youth risk behaviors and conditions, substance use behaviors, and student experiences. There are also multiple suicide-related measures such as feelings of sadness and hopelessness, thoughts about suicide, suicide plans (in some states), reported suicide attempts, and suicide attempts that require medical attention.​
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See here for 2021 North Dakota YRBS data.
Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)
WISQARS is a database run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that allows users to access data on suicides, drug overdoses, and other deaths. Users can view data at state, national, and urban/rural levels, with multiple filters that can be applied. WISQARS also provides various reports, tables, maps, and data visualizations.
North Dakota Govenor's Challenge Data Dashboard
The Governor’s Challenge is a partnership among the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the State of North Dakota to bring together community leaders and state agencies to prevent suicide among Service Member, Veterans, and their families (SMVF). Priority focus areas include identifying SMVFs and screening for suicide risk, promoting connectedness and care transitions, and promoting lethal means safety and safety planning. North Dakota developed initiatives using evidence-based methods within the priority areas. This dashboard tracks forward progress on a number of those initiatives and is updated as data is available.
Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard
This dashboard displays data on deaths from drug overdose, suicide, and homicide. It shows information down to census tracts using final and provisional death data received from states. This data comes from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), compiled by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
Data Booklets
Produced by North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, the North Dakota Data Booklets tell the story of youth and adult behavioral health in the state. The booklets summarize data collected from national and state sources by key topics such as suicide, substance use, and gambling. The data can help guide prevention and intervention activities
Suicide Fatality Review Commission Report
The Suicide Fatality Review Commission is a multidisciplinary team of professionals and subject matter experts that meets quarterly to review a sample of North Dakota suicide fatalities. The commission reviews suicide deaths occurring in North Dakota to identify risk factors, protective factors, systems, and services involved in each case and to inform recommendations for services, policies, and other actions that could improve responses to individuals at risk of suicide. Produced by ND Health and Human Services and the North Dakota Suicide Fatality Review Commission, the 2024 Annual Report documents the activities of the Commission, summarizes the cases reviewed, and provides discussion points and recommendations to better serve those at risk for suicide.
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