U.S. Suicide Rates Increased More Than 25% Since 1999

A TRULY TRAGIC AND STAGGERING INCREASE IN SUICIDES, WHY?

Suicide rates have increased 25% in the United States since 1999, and an even more alarming twenty-five states experienced a rise in suicides by more than 30%. Suicide has now become one of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. According to the report, more than half of those who died by suicide had not been diagnosed with a mental health condition. But is that because they just had not been diagnosed or other reasons? Is it the increase in drug use (both illegal and prescription), online social media where keyboard cowards think they can threaten other bully other with impunity, lack of generational coping skills, or an absence of God? There is most likely no one answer, it is most likely a combination of many. The reality is that I would hope no one thinks their life is the worthless and suicide is a better answer. However, just this week I was presented with a friend who’s friend did just that and ended it all. Truly sad. Something must be done to investigate what the real causes are for such a terrible increases in a cause of death.

CDC.gov

Suicide rates increased by 25% across the United States over nearly two decades ending in 2016, according to research published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-five states experienced a rise in suicides by more than 30%, the government report finds.

More than half of those who died by suicide had not been diagnosed with a mental health condition, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC.

“These findings are disturbing. Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death in the US right now, and it’s one of three causes that is actually increasing recently, so we do consider it a public health problem — and something that is all around us,” Schuchat said. The other two top 10 causes of death that are on the rise are Alzheimer’s disease and drug overdoses, she noted.

In 2016 alone, about 45,000 lives were lost to suicide.

“Our data show that the problem is getting worse,” Schuchat said.

Increases in 49 states.

To anyone thinking or even contemplating suicide, please get some help and talk to someone, anyone. Please don’t waste your life. It is a life worth saving. And for everyone else, please be more vigilant of those around you. Most likely they are crying out for help and we all are ignoring it and being too busy in our own lives to help. Suicide should never be the answer and we much reverse this trend for everyone’s sake.