LOCAL DATA & REPORTS
Understanding Suicide: A National and Local Perspective
Suicide remains a significant public health concern across the United States. In 2024, more than 48,000 lives were lost nationally to suicide, representing a continued need for prevention, awareness, and access to support. Ohio reflects this national concern, with 1,856 suicide deaths in 2024 and a rate of approximately 15.2 deaths per 100,000 residents.
In Medina County, recent data show an age-adjusted suicide rate of approximately 11.5 deaths per 100,000 residents. While this rate is below the Ohio average, suicide continues to impact individuals, families, and communities throughout the county. Every number represents a person — a loved one, friend, coworker, or neighbor — whose life had value and whose loss is deeply felt.
Understanding suicide trends at the national, state, and local levels helps guide prevention efforts and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most. By recognizing risk factors, increasing awareness, and strengthening connections to support, communities can take meaningful steps toward prevention.
Medina County has both a challenge and an opportunity: through collaboration, education, and compassionate action, we can create safer communities, support those experiencing a crisis, and help prevent suicide.
Local Data | Medina County, Ohio
From 2018–2024*, Medina County recorded 169 suicide deaths and 685 emergency department visits related to suicide attempts. These numbers demonstrate the continued need for prevention efforts that promote early intervention, strengthen connections to support, and create safer communities.
Suicide Attempt-Related Emergency Department Visits
Emergency department visits related to suicide attempts reflect individuals experiencing a crisis that required immediate medical care. Between 2018–2024*, Medina County recorded hundreds of suicide attempt-related emergency department visits, with youth and young adults representing the largest age group impacted.
These visits occurred among individuals across all age groups, highlighting the importance of accessible mental health resources, early support, and community connections for people experiencing a crisis.
Suicide Deaths in Medina County
Between 2018–2024*, Medina County experienced 169 suicide deaths. While the county’s age-adjusted suicide death rate remains below Ohio’s overall rate, suicide continues to impact individuals, families, and communities throughout the area.
Suicide deaths occurred among individuals across the lifespan, with older adults representing the largest age group impacted. Males accounted for the majority of suicide deaths during this time period.
Patterns in Local Data
Firearms & Suicide
Firearms were the most common method involved in suicide deaths in Medina County from 2018–2024*. Because access to lethal means can influence outcomes during moments of crisis, efforts focused on safe firearm practices, awareness, and support resources are important components of community safety.
Impact Across the Lifespan
Suicide affects individuals of all ages. Local data demonstrates the need to recognize the unique challenges faced by youth, adults, and older adults and ensure that support systems are available throughout every stage of life.
Understanding the Data
Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community impacted. Local data provides an opportunity to better understand suicide-related experiences in Medina County and continue building awareness, connection, and support.
*Data reflects available information from 2018–2024.
Data Sources Utilized by the Medina County Coalition for Suicide Prevention:
The Medina County Health Department collects suicide fatality data and provides a Medina County Suicide Data Dashboard for the public. This dashboard contains data from 2018 through the prior year and allows users to review the data based on yearly trends, sex, age, and method of injury. Additional data points include emergency department visits for suicide attempts and crisis intervention referrals data, Please note that the data is preliminary and subject to change as additional data is collected. More information about methods of data collection can be found in the Data Notes and Sources section of the dashboard.
Alternative Paths provides Local Outreach of Suicide Survivor (LOSS) Team demographic data to the Medina County Coalition for Suicide Prevention. More information about the LOSS team and their work can be found here: https://www.alternativepaths.org/forensic-programs/.