Suicide is a major national concern in the United States. There were 42,773 recorded suicides in the U.S. in 2014 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). On average, adjusted for age, the annual U.S. suicide rate increased 24% over the 15 previous years (1999 to 2014), from 10.5 to 13.0 suicides per 100,000 people, the highest rate recorded in 28 years. Due to the stigma surrounding suicide, it is suspected that it generally is underreported.
In 2009, suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for males and the 16th leading cause of death for females. In 2015, suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 and the third leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 14. From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among American ages 35 to 64 increased nearly 30 percent. The largest increases were among men in their fifties, with rates rising nearly 50 percent, to 30 per 100,000. For women aged 60 to 64, rates rose 60 percent, to 7.0 per 100,000. In 2008, it was observed that U.S. suicide rates, particularly among middle-aged white women, had increased, although the causes were unclear. According to the last study done by the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, in 2014 suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the US. Moreover, each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide, imposing a cost of $51 billion to the US annually. Other additional facts showed by the study were:
The annual age-adjusted suicide rate is 13.26 per 100,000 individuals.
Men die by suicide 3.5x more often than women.
Women attempt suicide 2x more often than men.
On average, there are 121 suicides per day.
White males accounted for 7 of 10 suicides in 2015.
The rate of suicide is highest in middle age—white men in particular.
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The news talks about everything that has nothing to do with us [like who won the Thanksgiving Vikings-Lions game and Trumps latest nonsensical tweet] but this horrific national epidemic is completely ignored.
WHY???
It is a scandal.
Remember: Almost every suicide has friends and family who are shattered by his or her act. And add all of the suffering that was experienced in the period leading up to the suicide.
44,193. And the rate is steadily increasing. And this is in the USA - the most free and wealthiest country in the world.
And 10 year olds commiting suicide?
Besides losing lives - we also lost 51 billion dollars that could have been used to feed hungry people and provide shelter for the homeless etc.
I am completely beside myself.
