What You Should Know About Suicide in America

After a long period of steady decline, suicide rates in the United States have increased almost steadily to reach a 30-year high, according to data from the National Vital Statistics System.

Suicide rates declined from 1986 through 1999, but from 1999 to 2014 have steadily increased—with the pace of increase greater after 2006. During the 15-year period covering most of the new millenium the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States increased 24 percent, from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000 population.

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Suicide rates for both males and females were also higher in 2014 than in 1999 for all age groups younger than 75. For those older than 75, the suicide rates decreased by 11 percent for women and decreased by 8 percent for men. However, despite the decrease in the rate, men older than 75 still had the highest rate of any age group.

The video below presents five more things you should know about suicide in the United States:

If you know someone who is considering suicide, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get your loved one to seek immediate help from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room. Remove any access they may have to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including medications. Call 911 or the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

See also: 

Can a Christian Commit Suicide? by Miguel Núñez

Hearing God in the Midst of Suicidal Thoughts by Matthew Wireman

Four Brief Theses on Suicide by Kevin DeYoung