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Over the last 20 years, suicide has become a full-blown national emergency. There are now more than twice as many suicides in the United States as homicides, and it’s the tenth leading cause of death. For every person who dies by suicide, approximately 30 more attempt it. Adding to the complexity of the issue, the spike can’t be explained by any sort of demographic logic. Rich, poor, seniors, teenagers, men, women, and nearly every ethnicity — they are all struggling — and more than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition. This crisis touches us all. What needs to be done, both at a national level and a community level, to reverse the trend? What can the average person do to make a difference? Are policymakers making headway? How can we support those left behind? If you are at risk, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support: 800-273-8255.
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Society
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