Mega Doctor News
Both the number and rate of deaths by suicide rose 4% in 2021, reversing two years of decreases recorded by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, a report out today says. The number rose from 45,979 in 2020 to 47,646 in 2021 and the rate of suicides per 100,000 went up from 13.5 in 2020 to 14.0 in 2021. Those are still lower than what’s called the modern peak in 2018, when suicides climbed 35% from 1999 before dropping by 5% through 2020. Other notable numbers:
▪ The increase in suicides was higher among males (4%) than females (2%); the suicide rate went up more for males (3%) than females (2%).
▪ The largest increase in the suicide rate was among males ages 15-24 ( 8%).
▪ The number of suicides was higher in nine months during 2021 compared to 2020, with the largest increase occurring in October (11%).
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Information Source: Suicide Rate, By Age And Sex: United States, Final 2020 And Provisional 2021; National Center For Health Statistics
