I don't understand the focus on relative growth rates of very differently-sized groups. If the country had only these two groups and we had seen 100 additional

I don't understand the focus on relative growth rates of very differently-sized groups. If the country had only these two groups and we had seen 100 additional deaths, that would mean ~70 additional male deaths and ~30 additional female deaths. While it is significant on its own that women made up an even smaller portion historically, it doesn't seem to me that that is a better description of the problem at large. Not that I think this is a gendered issue; suicide attempt rates are about equal between men and women, and the fact that men more often succeed doesn't really have any bearing on their relative mental health.