By TrueMynd Psychiatry — Virtual, statewide in Pennsylvania

Suicide remains a leading and preventable cause of death in Pennsylvania. Over the last three years, new state and federal data paint a nuanced picture: youth mental-health indicators show persistent distress, adult serious mental illness affects roughly 1 in 17 Pennsylvanians, and statewide suicide mortality remains a major public-health priority. Below, we summarize the most recent, Pennsylvania-specific numbers and how TrueMynd Psychiatry can help.

⚠️ If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for 24/7 support. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

• ~2,000 Pennsylvanians died by suicide in 2022 (the most recent finalized year), an age-adjusted rate of 14.21 per 100,000; suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in PA that year. 
• Among Pennsylvanians aged 18+, 24.4% experienced any mental illness and 6.0% experienced serious mental illness (SMI) in 2022–2023 average estimates; 5.3% had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. (SAMHSA)
• In the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) of grades 6, 8, 10, and 12:
  • 37.3% reported feeling sad or depressed most days.
  • 24.4% said “sometimes I think life is not worth it.”
  • By grade, considered suicide/attempted (past year): 8th: 16.5% / 5.3%; 10th: 16.4% / 5.4%; 12th: 17.9% / 5.9%. 
• Nationally, the age-adjusted suicide rate reached a peak in 2022 and changed little in 2023 overall (with age- and sex-specific shifts), underscoring the urgency of sustained prevention in PA. (CDC)

Pennsylvania Suicide Mortality (Adults & All Ages)

• 2022 (finalized): 1,955 deaths, 14.21 per 100,000 (age-adjusted), 12th leading cause of death in PA. Firearms were involved in ~54% of suicides. 
• 2019–2023 trend lens: The PA Department of Health tracks the Healthy People 2030 objective (≤12.8 per 100,000). County-level maps and rolling 5-year tables (2015–2019 through 2019–2023) show persistent variation by county and underscore the need for local prevention capacity. (health.pa.gov)

Why this matters: County-level differences mean access to timely, evidence-based care (including telepsychiatry) can be lifesaving in underserved areas.

Youth Mental Health in Pennsylvania (PAYS 2023)

The 2023 PAYS—completed by 262,535 students across PA—highlights continuing distress signals:

• Feeling sad or depressed most days (all grades): 37.3%.
• “Sometimes I think life is not worth it” (all grades): 24.4% (down from 27.9% in 2021).
• Bullying link: 32.0% of bullied students seriously considered suicide in the past year.
• Self-harm declined across grades but remains a concern.
• Grade-specific past-year suicidality:
  • 8th grade: 16.5% considered; 5.3% attempted.
  • 10th grade: 16.4% considered; 5.4% attempted.
  • 12th grade: 17.9% considered; 5.9% attempted. 

Why this matters: Early identification, family engagement, school partnerships, and rapid access to adolescent-competent psychiatric care are crucial to prevent escalation.

Adults in Pennsylvania: Mental Illness & Suicidality (NSDUH 2022–2023)

State-modeled estimates (annual average of 2022 & 2023) show:

• Any Mental Illness (18+): 24.39%
• Serious Mental Illness (18+): 5.99%
• Serious thoughts of suicide (18+): 5.34%; plans: 1.42%; attempts: 0.59%
• Major Depressive Episode: 7.73% among 26+; 19.18% among ages 18–25. (SAMHSA)

Why this matters: Young adults (18–25) show particularly high rates of depression and suicidality, aligning with what many PA clinicians observe in after-high-school/college transitions.

Context from National Data (to frame Pennsylvania’s work)

• 2022 saw U.S. suicide deaths reach a record high; 2023 data show mixed changes across subgroups (e.g., decreases for some older male groups), reminding us progress requires targeted strategies. (CDC)
• CDC’s latest overview confirms the 2022 national rate returned to its prior peak, reinforcing why sustained prevention, lethal-means safety, and treatment access are non-negotiable in PA. (CDC)

How TrueMynd Psychiatry Helps (Statewide, Virtual Care)

TrueMynd Psychiatry provides evidence-based, compassionate care to adolescents (14+) and adults across Pennsylvania via telehealth, including:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management & psychotherapy-informed visits
• Suicide risk assessment & safety planning
• Treatment for mood, anxiety, trauma-related, and co-occurring substance-use conditions
• Collaboration with families/schools (youth) and primary-care partners (adults)

We emphasize: rapid access, means-safety counseling, care coordination, and follow-up intensity matched to risk.

Need help now? Call or text 988. For veterans, dial 988 then press 1. For immediate danger, call 911.

Sources:

• Pennsylvania Dept. of Health — Healthy People 2030 (Suicide Rate, 2019–2023). County-level indicator details and downloadable data. (health.pa.gov)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (PA Fact Sheet, May 2024; CDC 2022 data). State deaths, rate, rank, age-group leading-cause rankings, firearm share. 
• SAMHSA NSDUH (2022–2023 PA State Tables). Any mental illness, SMI, MDE, suicidal thoughts/plans/attempts, by age group. (SAMHSA)
• Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) 2023 — State Highlight Report. Student mental-health indicators and grade-specific suicidality. 
• CDC — Suicide Data & 2023 NCHS Data Brief. National trend context for 2022–2023. (CDC)

What You Can Do Today

• Secure lethal means (safe firearm storage; lock and monitor medications).
• Check in with loved ones—ask directly about suicidal thoughts; listen non-judgmentally.
• Connect to care quickly—TrueMynd Psychiatry can help you navigate options and start treatment.

About TrueMynd Psychiatry (PA)

We’re a Pennsylvania-based, telehealth-first psychiatric practice serving adolescents (14+) and adults statewide. Our care is inclusive, evidence-based, and tailored to your needs. Learn more or request an appointment at truemyndpsychiatry.com.