The Growing Fear of Suicide

Suicides have grown by 33% in the last 20 years according to the CDC. Fortunately, we did see a small decline in suicides and suicide attempts in 2019. In 2019, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and was responsible for more the 47,500 deaths in just that year. The CDC states, “…which is about one death every 11 minutes.” This number doesn’t include the people who have seriously considered suicide or the people who even attempted a suicide. The CDC reports, “In 2019, 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.4 million attempted suicide.”

There is some pattern in people that attempt suicide, and also of those who committed suicide, and that trend belongs to middle aged white males. White males accounted for, “69.38% of all suicide deaths in 2019,” according to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. Nearly 14 out of every 100,000 people committed suicide in 2019. On average, there are 130 suicides every day. “In 2019, firearms accounted for 50.39% of all suicide deaths,” AFSP reported.

Suicide does not discriminate. People of all ages are affected by suicide. For individuals 10 – 34 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States. For people aged 34 – 54, it is the fourth leading cause of death, and fifth leading cause for people ages 45 – 54. Suicide rates can vary from gender, ethnicity, and sexual identification. The CDC states, “The highest rates are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White populations. Other Americans with higher than average rates of suicide are veterans, people who live in rural areas, and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining and construction. Young people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual have a higher rate of suicidal ideation and behavior compared to their peers who identify as straight.”

If you or anybody you know are considering suicide, there is a suicide prevention line (1-800-273-8255) that is not only free, but it’s also confidential. This provides somebody to talk to, and somebody to show you that you matter and that people care about you. Being suicidal is a dark hole, and it’s important to connect those in need with resources that will help save a life. This line is available 24/7. You can also confidentially chat with anybody on the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well.

Suicide is devastating. Do your due diligence to check up on the people around you and offer support. Sometimes all it takes to save somebodies life is a nice compliment. Treat everybody as if they are having the worst day of their life, and do something that might lift their spirits. Just showing genuine care about somebody can make the world of difference for somebody.