Suicide Rates Have Surged 25% Across 49 states since 1999

(Mirror Daily, United States) – A new government report shows that the suicide rates nationwide have increased by more than 25% between 1999 and 2016.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, in 25 U.S. states, suicide rates jumped by more than 30%.

The report also shows that over 50% of the victims had not been diagnosed with a mental health condition before their death.

These findings are disturbing. Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death in the US right now,[…],

said CDC’s principal deputy director, Anne Schuchat, MD.

Dr. Schuchat believes that suicide should be considered a public health issue. Suicide has become as bad as drug overdoses and Alzheimer’s disease when it comes to early mortality.

In 2016, 45,000 Americans died by suicide, and the numbers could go further up.

America Has Seen 25% Jump in Suicides in Less than 2 Decades

CDC researchers combed the data offered by the National Vital Statistics System. The data included Americans aged 10 or older who committed suicide from 1999 to 2016.

On average, the United States saw a 25% jump in suicide rates over that period. Delaware experienced a 6% rise, while states like North Dakota saw a 58% increase in suicide rates.

The only state that hasn’t seen an increase was Nevada. In fact, suicide rates slipped 1% in the Silver State. Nevertheless, with around 21 suicides for every 100,000 residents, Nevada still has a fairly high suicide rate.

The state with the highest suicide rate is Montana, with 29 people lost to suicide for every 100,000 residents. The District of Columbia has the lowest suicide rate, with seven people dead by suicide for every 100,000 residents.

In 31% of cases in which the individual died by poisoning, doctors found opioids in the bloodstream. So, it is very hard if the person killed themselves or simply died by overdose.
Image Source: PxHere

Bio
Latest Posts

John Birks

John holds a diploma in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He covers the technology, social media, green business, eco-travel, politics, arts culture.