CDC: Suicide deaths increased 2.6% in 2022, according to provisional datad
By Brian Ward
On August 10, the CDC released its latest provisional suicide estimates for 2022, showing suicide deaths on the rise. There were approximately 49,499 suicide deaths in 2022, or 1,316 more than in 2021. For perspective, the country of Greenland is home to 56,000 people.
“The troubling increase in suicides requires immediate action across our society to address the staggering loss of life from tragedies that are preventable,” said CDC’s Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, M.D., MPH in the press release. “Everyone can play a role in efforts to save lives and reverse the rise in suicide deaths.”
Suicide rates had been on the decline in 2019 and 2020, only to increase 5% in 2021 and 2.6% in 2022. Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, both blamed a growing national mental health crisis as a major driver in suicide rates.
“Nine in ten Americans believe America is facing a mental health crisis. The new suicide death data reported by CDC illustrates why. One life lost to suicide is one too many. Yet, too many people still believe asking for help is a sign of weakness,” Becerra said in the release.
“Today’s report underscores the depths of the devastating mental health crisis in America. Mental health has become the defining public health and societal challenge of our time. Far too many people and their families are suffering and feeling alone,” added Murthy. “These numbers are a sobering reminder of how urgent it is that we further expand access to mental health care, address the root causes of mental health struggles, and recognize the importance of checking on and supporting one another. If you or a loved one are in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, please know that your life matters and that you are not alone. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for anyone who needs help.”
One thing the data found was that while suicides are up overall, they declined 6.1% among American Indian and Alaska Native people and 8.4% in people 10 to 24 years old.
According to the CDC, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline suggest 5 steps to help safeguard people from the risk of suicide and support them when in crisis:
- Ask: Asking and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
- Help keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to lethal means is an important part of suicide prevention.
- Be there: Increasing someone’s connectedness to others and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
- Help them connect: Individuals that called the 988 Lifeline were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by the end of calls.
- Follow up: After you’ve connected a person experiencing thoughts of suicide with the immediate support systems that they need, following-up with them to see how they’re doing can help increase their feelings of connectedness and support. There’s evidence that even a simple form of reaching out can potentially reduce that person’s risk for suicide.
Learn more about five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal at https://www.bethe1to.com/.