Record High Suicide Deaths in the United States
According to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide deaths in the United States reached a record high last year. However, there is some positive news as the rates decreased among children and young adults.
Notably, there was an 18% decline in suicide rates for children aged 10 to 14 from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, there was a 9% decrease for those aged 15 to 24 and a 2% drop for those aged 25 to 34.
These declines among younger age groups provide a glimmer of hope after years of worrying increases.
Recent research indicates that the state of youth mental health is in crisis, particularly among teenage girls. According to a survey conducted by the CDC, approximately one in three high school girls are facing mental health challenges. The causes of this alarming trend are believed to be a combination of stress, the influence of social media, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, higher rates of depression, limited access to mental health services, and increased availability of guns.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, there is help available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be contacted by calling or texting 988. Additionally, you can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information on mental health care resources and support, you can reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine. They can be contacted Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or via email at [email protected].
-Simrin Singh contributed to this report.
