A new report released on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that the suicide rate in the United States has risen by 30 percent since 1999, and almost 45,000 Americans died by suicide in 2016.
“Suicide is a leading cause of death in the US,” CDC officials said in the report, which was released via the Center’s publication Vital Signs.
The report also indicated that the suicide rate has risen in 49 out of 50 states, with only Nevada seeing a decrease. North Dakota had the biggest increase, with its suicide rate rising by 57.6 percent.
Every person lost to suicide results in “tragedy for families and communities across the country,” said the CDC’s principal deputy director Anne Schuchat, according to AFP. “From individuals and communities to employers and healthcare professionals, everyone can play a role in efforts to help save lives and reverse this troubling rise in suicide.”
Suicides are rising across the US. Suicide is more than a mental health condition — states and communities can adopt comprehensive strategies to prevent suicide. Read more in new #VitalSigns report: https://t.co/UVCz09vS0D pic.twitter.com/jvTcfnyn7L
— CDC (@CDCgov) June 7, 2018
Although the CDC identified several contributing factors to suicide -things such as relationship and financial problems, mental health conditions, and upcoming or recent life crises – there is no one single cause, and 54 percent of suicide victims did not have a known mental health condition.
“Many factors contribute to suicide among those with and without known mental health conditions,” the CDC said.
The most common methods of suicide are the use of a firearm, suffocation, and poisoning.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can seek help by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or via the internet at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
If you or a loved one need help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) @800273TALK or visit https://t.co/QVWnX2cNng. #stopsuicide pic.twitter.com/d53usVUPDV
— CDC Injury Center (@CDCInjury) June 6, 2018