The United States has reached an alarming milestone in 2022, as the country recorded more than 49,000 suicides, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. The sobering data was revealed the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) on Wednesday, with statistician and study lead author Sally Curtin calling it the highest number ever reported in the country.
The CDC noted that these are provisional data, and the final number is expected to be even higher. The total suicide rate in 2022 rose to levels not seen since 1941, with increases affecting almost all age groups over 35, as well as groups of Hispanic origin. The largest rise was among 55- to 64-year-old males, with men aged 75 and older having the highest suicide rate at 43.7 per 100,000.
Women also experienced a 4% increase in suicide rates, with those aged 45-54 having the highest mortality rate at approximately 9 per 100,000. However, the analysis showed a promising decline in adolescent and young adult suicide rates, dropping 18% and 9% for the 10 to 14 and 15 to 24-year-olds, respectively. This marks the first drop in over a decade for these age groups, which is attributed to national and localized efforts to improve youth mental health awareness.
Jill Harkavy-Friedman, senior vice president of research at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, emphasized the need for continued measures to address suicide rates. In a related development, a study published in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health has shown that an AI chatbot on the mental health app Wysa significantly reduced depressive symptoms in pre-and postnatal women. This finding highlights the potential of AI in treating common conditions like anxiety and depression, offering quicker and more affordable access to mental health services.
Ashley Andreou, a medical student at Georgetown University, stressed the importance of increased access to evidence-based mental health treatment, envisioning AI with certified health professionals as an efficient solution. As the nation grapples with the rise in suicide rates, both local and national efforts to combat mental health issues are critical in addressing this public health crisis.
The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as professional advice.