Young people aged 15 to 24 account for most suicide-related emergency room visits in Puerto Rico, while suicide deaths are concentrated among people 50 and older, said Dr. Nayda Román, director of the Commission for Suicide Prevention, at a Tuesday press conference at La Fortaleza. Román said the findings come from newly required reporting added to the Health Department’s BioPortal, but only 32 of the island’s 87 hospitals have submitted the new report, so the data is not conclusive.
The reports show about 741 emergency room visits in 2025, 64% for suicidal ideation and 32% for suicide attempts, with young people the main group affected. Epidemiological surveillance found one in five visits required immediate hospitalization for clinical stabilization or transfer to a psychiatric institution, Román said. Suicide deaths among young people represent between 3% and 6% of cases.
She said a protocol is being developed for hospitals on discharging a person who arrives with suicidal behavior and how to guide the family; currently, a discharged person leaves with an appointment with a mental health professional for follow-up. Suicides totaled 136 through August 2026, compared with 158 by that date in 2025, and 235 in all of 2025.
Román urged anyone in crisis to call the ASSMCA PAS Line at 9-8-8 or visit prevencionsuicidio.salud.pr.gov.