Suicides in America reach a record high
Image: Jamie Ducharme/TIME
Today’s Dose of Discussion isn’t exactly uplifting – but it tackles an incredibly important topic close to our teams' hearts.
Nearly 50,000 Americans died from suicide in 2022, the highest number in recorded history, per newly published CDC data based on US death certificates.
Preliminary data also indicates suicides were more common last year than any other year since 1941, at an estimated 14.4 per 100,000 people.
🤔 Who is most affected?... On an annual basis, suicides increased last year across every age group, race/ethnicity, and gender, with two exceptions: Americans aged 10-24 (-8.4%), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (-6.1%).
Some other findings:
- Males typically account for around 80% of all US suicides. 2022 was no different (79.4%).
- Americans aged 85+ had the highest suicide rate among all age groups last year, followed by those aged 25-34 and 75-84. On the flip side, Americans aged 10-24 and 65-74 had the lowest rates of suicide.
- American Indians/Alaska Natives had a higher suicide rate last year than all other racial groups, at ~24 per 100,000 people; White Americans placed second with ~16 suicides per 100,000 people.
According to previous peer-reviewed research, suicide is linked with a wide variety of factors like economic uncertainty, substance use disorder, social isolation, and difficulty accessing mental health care.
📸 Big picture: The US suicide rate has increased by more than 35% since 2000. Over the same period, the number of Americans attempting suicide has remained relatively stable at around 2 million per year.
📊 Flash poll (long-form): In your opinion, what steps should the US take to reduce the amount of suicides among its population?
+IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that America’s lower life expectancy compared to the rest of the developed world can largely be attributed to a higher rate of suicide among the US public, especially younger folks.
- Others contend that US health officials and lawmakers should pay more attention to America’s ongoing suicide epidemic and provide better identification and treatment of suicidality.
- “It’s Not ‘Deaths of Despair.’ It’s Deaths of Children.” –David Wallace-Wells, NY Times
- “We need to pay more attention to the epidemic of suicide” –Arthur C. Brooks, WaPo
- “How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair?” –David Brooks, NY Times
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the Covid pandemic and following lockdowns contributing to America’s ongoing mental health crisis, including the record-high number of suicides.
- Others contend that it would be a mistake to attribute rising US suicide rates – especially among younger folks – to the Covid pandemic, since the trend has been going on for the past 20 years.
- “The Main Covid Lockdown Casualties: Children” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Blaming the pandemic for rising teen suicide rates won’t solve the problem” –Deseret News Editorial Board
- “Two studies show pandemic lockdown's devastation on kids –Washington Times Editorial Board
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