America Record Suicide Toll in 2022: According to provisional data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022 saw more suicides than any other year since 1941. At 49,449, intentional self-harm killed more than 14 persons per 100,000.
Men are four times as likely than women to commit suicide, peaking among senior men. The suicide rate for women doubled in 2022, especially for White women and those aged 2534. Suicide rates have been rising in the US for decades, which is troubling.
Despite the overall increase, there are signs of improvement among children and teens, with an 18% drop in the suicide rate for children aged 10 to 14, and a 9% decrease among those aged 15 to 24. However, the majority of suicide deaths in the latter age group were still among males.
While the suicide rates for some demographics have shown improvement, provisional data reveals an increase in rates for all other age groups. American Indian people continue to have the highest age-adjusted rates, with approximately 27 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. Rates among White people were also above average, with around 18 deaths per 100,000 people.
A concerning aspect is that over half of suicides involve firearms, and a separate analysis found that gun suicides reached a record high in 2022. The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions emphasized the need to create time and space between individuals in crisis and this lethal method to save lives.
In summer 2022, the US Department of Health and Human Services launched the 988 Suicide and epidemic Lifeline to address the mental health epidemic. Despite receiving 7 million calls, messages, and chats, some survey data suggests that US adults are unaware of this resource, indicating a need for more training and resources to help those in need.
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Our Reader’s Queries
How many suicides were recorded in 2022?
The report revealed that in 2022, suicide claimed the lives of nearly 49,500 individuals, marking a 3% increase from the previous year’s recorded deaths of almost 48,200.
Who has the highest suicide rate in the world?
Suicide is a global issue that is impacted by various factors such as mental health disorders, depression rates, and overall life satisfaction. Shockingly, Lesotho had the highest suicide rate in 2019 with 72.4 per 100k, followed by Guyana, Eswatini, South Korea, and Kiribati. This highlights the need for increased awareness and support for mental health services worldwide.
How many suicides in 2023?
In 2023, the number of Americans who lost their lives to suicide surpassed all previous records, with over 50,000 individuals succumbing to this tragic fate. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and support for those struggling with mental health issues. Let us work together to break the stigma surrounding mental health and provide resources to those in need.
What is the state with the highest suicide rate?
In 2021, Wyoming had the highest state suicide rate while New Jersey had the lowest. The states with the highest suicide rates were Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska, with 32.3, 32.0, and 30.8 suicides per 100,000 people, respectively. On the other hand, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts had the lowest rates at 7.1, 7.9, and 8.0.