Density and Built Environments on Suicide Rates: Improving Urban Planning for Mental Health and Well-being

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2023This thesis examines the relationship between the Built Environment and suicide mortality rates, focusing on improving urban planning standards and practices to promote mental health and well-being in communities. The association between Built Environmental factors in counties and their suicide rates is explored to identify the specific design elements that significantly affect suicide rates in these communities. Additionally, the potential of child-centered design is investigated to reduce socioeconomic gaps and mental or physical health disparities and to increase overall costs for individuals and communities. This research provides a reinvestigation of our built environment features, using suicide mortality rates as a criterion for successful Built Environment implementation. Overall, the findings suggest that the historical assumptions of suicide (mortality risks higher in dense cities, and poorer areas) may be too vague to be correct and not provide the best framework for the built environment of the future.Keywords: Suicide rates, Built Environment, Mental Health, GI