August 24, 2020 – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide accounted for over 48,000 deaths in the United States in 2018. Furthermore, for each suicide death, an additional 200 people consider suicide. Factors that may influence an individual’s risk for suicide include adverse childhood experiences, prolonged periods of stress, bullying, and substance abuse.
Suicide affects people of all backgrounds, but suicides are not spread evenly throughout the entire population. Men are between 3.5 and 4.5 times more likely to die by suicide than women, despite women being more likely to consider suicide. Rural areas, which typically have less access to mental health care, experience higher rates of suicide than urban areas.
State and federal strategies to address suicide include crisis hotlines and apps, addressing specific risk groups, and promoting connected environments.
