The suicide rate in the United States has set an 80-year record – Kommersant

In 2022, 49,449 people died by suicide in the United States, up 3% from 2021. The suicide rate (the number of suicides per 100 thousand people) increased over the year by 1% and amounted to 14.3. This is the highest rate in the country since 1941. Such data is provided in the preliminary report US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, the CDC expects that the final numbers for 2022 could be even higher.

The collected data shows that the number of suicides among men in 2022 increased by 1% compared to 2021 and amounted to 23.1 cases per 100 thousand people. A total of 39,255 men committed suicide in 2022. Moreover, men over 35 years of age took their own lives more often than young people. The suicide rate among women increased by 4% – 5.9 cases per 100 thousand people. A total of 10,194 women committed suicide. Overall, suicide rates were highest among men and women over the age of 75.

CDC experts note that the number of suicides has been steadily increasing in the United States since the beginning of the 21st century. In this regard, last year, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy even called for the development of a national strategy on suicide prevention and support for youth mental health. And in 2022, the federal government opened a hotline that people in crisis or contemplating suicide and those who know of people with such serious problems can call or text.

Alena Miklashevskaya