The United States experienced its highest number of suicides ever recorded last year, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing over 49,000 deaths due to self-harm in 2022.

This equates to more than 14 suicides for every 100,000 people, a figure that hasn’t been seen since records began in 1941.

Men were disproportionately affected, being four times more likely to die by suicide than women. However, the rates for women, particularly White women and those aged 25 to 34, saw a worrying increase.

Suicide rates in the U.S. have been climbing for years. In 2021, the Surgeon General called for a national plan to prevent suicides, focusing on young people’s mental health. This came in response to rising suicide rates and growing mental health issues among the youth.

Despite these concerning trends, there is some positive news. Suicide rates among children and teenagers showed a decline in 2022.

Children aged 10 to 14 saw an 18% decrease in suicide rates to about 2 deaths for every 100,000 children, while the 15 to 24 age group experienced a 9% reduction to about 14 deaths for every 100,000 people.

This improvement was more noticeable in boys and young men, but the majority of suicides in this age group were still among males.

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The increase in suicide rates was not uniform across all age groups. The highest rates were among American Indian individuals, with about 27 deaths per 100,000 people. White individuals also had higher rates, at approximately 18 deaths per 100,000 people.

Provisional CDC data by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions showed gun suicides reached a record high in 2022 with over half of the suicides involved firearms.

Ari Davis from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions highlighted the issue, stating, “Gun suicides continue to take the lives of elderly white men at high rates and increasingly, the lives of Black teens.”

“If we can put time and space between this lethal method and someone in crisis, it can save lives,” he told CNN.

In response to this crisis, the US Department of Health and Human Services launched the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in summer 2022. This new lifeline, evolving from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is easier to remember and access.

It has already received around 7 million interactions, including calls, texts, and chats, indicating its widespread use. However, many Americans are still unaware of this resource, suggesting the need for more awareness and training.

For those struggling with mental health issues, the 988 lifeline offers immediate support. Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness at NAMI.org provides further resources and assistance.

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