Issues@Hand

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September 2018 – Suicide has become the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with an increase of nearly 30% over the past decade, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control. In 2016, nearly 45,000 suicides occurred in the U.S. – more than twice the number of homicides. And among ages 15-34, suicide is the second leading cause of death.

In 27 states, 54% of suicides were not linked to any diagnosed mental health problem. While the most common method of suicide involved firearms, suicides from opioid overdoses doubled between 1999 and 2014. In 2014, those with opioid addiction were 40-60% more likely to consider suicide. Other factors associated with suicide included strained relationships, financial stressors, and physical health conditions.

“Suicide is a public health crisis when you look at the numbers, and they keep going up,” said Nadine Kaslow, former president of the American Psychological Association. (See related story, here.)

washingtonpost.com, 6/7/18