15 Occupations with Most Suicides

Have you ever wondered which are the most stressful professions, or in other words occupations with most suicides? We have, and we have decided to conduct a little research in order to find out at which jobs the most depressing people can be found. Unfortunately, suicides in this modern world are more often than many people think, and in 2012 suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the US. The main problem is that people who suffer from depression (which is one of the main mental issues that cause people to commit suicide) very well cover that. And by the time it becomes evident that one person suffers from depression, it is usually too late. That’s why we all should be more considerate towards others, and really listen to what they are trying to tell us. Sometimes they cry for help, but we are too blind to see that. Raising awareness about high rates of suicides may help reduce the rates in the future.

Unlike our previous list on the same topic – the 10 highest suicide rates by profession, where we used a study by the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance, now, we have relied upon one other statistical research conducted by the Center for Disease and Prevention and got different results. In this study, data were collected from 17 states, back in 2012, and rates of suicides per 100,000 people in each occupation were calculated. And here are the results:

15. Healthcare support

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 14.6

It is not surprising at all to see nursing as one of the occupations that have the highest rates of suicides, considering how stressful this job is. Even though nurses don’t have the same duties as doctors, and one can argue that compared to them their job isn’t that hard, the truth is a little different. Often nurses are thought of as inferior to doctors, but this is very much unfair as they are usually physicians’ right hand. They can as well endanger your life, or make it better. Hence the stress in this occupation comes both from huge responsibility, but also from constant watching over people who are suffering from a variety of illnesses.

And now, let’s see what else we have on our list of occupations with most suicides.

14. Business and financial operations

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 15.9

A profession that is entirely different than the previous one, but that also brings a portion of stress. There is a huge responsibility when taking care of other people’s taxes and examining financial records. Add to this constant starr=ing in the numbers, concentrating, and you’ll understand that being an accountant is far from an easy job.

13. Social, physical and life science

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 16.7

High ambition among scientists, who rank 13th on our list of occupations with most suicides, and who take up their discoveries as the most important part of their life – their ultimate goal,  can explain why they go into depression upon some failure. It is stressful to make your job so important to kill all fun about it.

12. Healthcare practitioners

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 17.4

The only surprise here is that this profession didn’t rank any higher on this list of 15 occupations with most suicides. Any explaining why there are many suicides among physicians is superfluous.

11. Legal

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 18.8

Oh, well, people who work in legal systems have a lot to bear on their shoulders. They are often involved with criminals, and it is not uncommon that prosecutors and their families are threatened. A lot of moral dilemmas in this field, often times guilt, fear, which can result committing the worst.

10. Management

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 20.3

Are you surprised that there are that many suicides in this profession? Well, although this job doesn’t seem to be the stressful in the same manner as some previous entries on this list, people who are working as managers are often times very ambitious, which can lead to forming expectations one cannot fulfill. Also, people working in advertising or in public relations are known to be working a lot, and being a workaholic is not a good option no matter the job. Everyone should have time for themselves from time to time; it is only natural.

9. Transportation and material moving

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 22.3

I would never expect to see this occupation on the list, but when I think again, I can see why it has found its place. This is one mainly physical job, quite demanding and exhausting. But what is worst, it is often not that paid. So working your ass off, and not receiving enough compensation for it, might explain having a hard time. And not to mention those transportation drivers who are spending most of their life in the truck, on the road, isolated.

8. Computer and mathematical

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 23.3

Isolation, once again, might explain high suicide rates among programmers. So, if your job doesn’t require real contact with people, try to make some contact outside the job, and have a lot of friends you can talk to and have fun.

7. Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 24.3

Both arts and sports are known for having people who are highly ambitious and competitive. Athletes are known to go through the unnatural efforts to win the race, sometimes even using illegal substances, and thus making their life evolving only around one thing – victory. Ambition to this extent is unhealthy and can cause serious problems. People in the arts are always thought of as a little different than “normal” people, often regarded as eccentric. And, if their eccentricity doesn’t kill them, desperation in the case of failure due to unrealistic expectations (once again – crazy ambitious) will. Not to put all blame on them, being a celebrity can be very hard. Not being able to live your life normally like any other “regular” person may be one more reason why there are so many suicides among artist, athletes and other people who are constantly under the spotlight.

6. Protective service

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 30.5

In the sixth place on this list of 15 occupations with most suicides is protective service. This is another profession for which is quite expected to be placed on this list. People working in the police or firefighting departments have very dangerous, and hence stressful job. Their lives are often times endangered, they bear vast responsibility, and they have to face various sights and situations that are hard to ever forget. It’s only a surprise that this occupation didn’t rank even higher.

5. Architecture and engineering

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 32.2

Like some other professions on this list of occupations with most suicides, architects are known as people who aim perfection in their work. Aiming to do every job perfect to the smallest detail, can cause too much stress. Seeking perfection in anything is an utopistic quest. Once again, not reaching your goals and being too ambitious and not use to failure by nature can create serious issues, and sometimes bring the worst consequences.

4. Production

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 34.5

People working in different factories are usually dealing with monotony. Same old routine is probably something that bothers them a lot; and, if they are as well not being paid too much, and have long working hours, it is hard for them to break routine in any way.

3. Installation, maintenance, and repair

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 47.9

Are you surprised as I am to see installation, maintenance, and repair among occupations with most suicides? Well, one possible explanation for this, according to some studies, is often exposure to various chemicals, which can sometimes induce neurotoxic effect, which later may cause depression and emotional instability, among other mental disorders.

2. Construction and extraction

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 53.3

Working in construction/extraction is stressful by itself, add to this to poor working conditions and long working hours, and you’ll get an explanation for such a high suicide rate in this profession.

1. Farming, fishing, and forestry

Rates of suicides per 100,000 people: 84.5

Oh, well, this is a profession that probably no one expected to see in the first place on this list of 15 occupations with most suicides. Yet, again, there is a simple explanation for this – people working in farming, forestry, fishing and other agricultural industries are often isolated the most. Hence, even having a job which gives you a contact with nature, which is great, can bring upon some other difficulties. Working as a fisherman or a farmer, and being isolated most of your life, you are actually going against your true nature. All people who work in such and similar isolated environments should make some time to spend with friends and family. We should never forget the words of one of the greatest minds in history, Aristotle, who said: “Man is by nature a social animal”.