Suicide Rates Spike Across Country By More Than 30 Percent, With All But One State Seeing An Increase
CDC researchers emphasized in their report that more than half of those suicides were committed by people who had not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Noting that suicide is “very rare” among those with chronic depression, they said friends, families and co-workers should not overlook the risk of self-harm among those who have never been diagnosed with mental illness.
Reuters:
U.S. Suicide Rates See Sharp Increase From 1999 To 2016: CDC
Suicide rates rose in nearly every U.S. state from 1999 to 2016, with the rate spiking by more than 30 percent in half of the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Thursday. Though mental health is often blamed for suicides, more than half of the people who took their own lives in 27 states in 2015 had not been diagnosed with a mental illness, the CDC said. (Brice, 6/7)
The New York Times:
Defying Prevention Efforts, Suicide Rates Are Climbing Across The Nation
The new analysis found that nearly 45,000 Americans aged 10 or older died by their own hand in 2016. The increase varied widely by state, from a low of 6 percent in Delaware to more than 57 percent in North Dakota. The rate declined in just one state, Nevada, where it has historically been higher than average. Social isolation, lack of mental health treatment, drug and alcohol abuse and gun ownership are among the factors that contribute to suicide. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and one of three that is increasing. The other two are Alzheimer’s disease and drug overdose, in part because of the spike in opioid deaths, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the C.D.C. (Carey, 6/7)
Los Angeles Times:
Suicides Have Increased By More Than 30% Since 1999 In Half The States, CDC Says
In a closer look at suicides in 2015, CDC researchers found that 29.4% took place within two weeks of a crisis — most commonly a breakup or other problem related to an intimate-partner relationship. Among the less-common factors presumed to have contributed to the suicides studied were physical health problems, legal difficulties, a family relationship issue or a job-related problem. (Healy, 6/7)
The Washington Post:
Suicide Rates Rise Sharply Across The United States, New Report Shows
“The data are disturbing,” said Anne Schuchat, the CDC's principal deputy director. “The widespread nature of the increase, in every state but one, really suggests that this is a national problem hitting most communities.” It is hitting many places especially hard. In half of the states, suicide among people age 10 and older increased more than 30 percent. “At what point is it a crisis?” asked Nadine Kaslow, a past president of the American Psychological Association. “Suicide is a public health crisis when you look at the numbers, and they keep going up. It’s up everywhere. And we know that the rates are actually higher than what’s reported. But homicides still get more attention.” (Nutt, 6/7)
The Wall Street Journal:
CDC Finds Rise In Suicide Rates Across The U.S.
“We have a long way to go to strengthen our community and health systems to make sure when someone is at risk we get them to care,” said Jerry Reed, an executive committee member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. The alliance is working with more than 250 hospitals to ensure that someone brought in after a suicide attempt is connected to long-term mental-health care, Dr. Reed said. Churches, schools and police also need to get better at recognizing people at risk for suicide and helping them get treatment or feel less isolated, he said. Limiting access to guns for people who are unwell is also a priority, he said. “We have to ask people who are at risk if they have a firearm, and while they’re in recovery or treatment, recommend safe storage of that firearm,” he said. “It might be a good idea while they’re in treatment if someone could hold onto that firearm.” (Whalen, 6/7)
NPR:
U.S. Suicide Rates Rise By More Than 30 Percent In Half Of States Since 1999
"So it's not just about firearms, it's also about other methods of suicide such as hanging, suffocation, poisoning and the like," she said. "We are concerned with all aspects of suicide prevention, including access to lethal means, and so we do include that in a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention." But Anestis believes that it's important to not beat around the bush when it comes to guns and to talk about the importance of things like setting waiting periods for purchase, and storing guns locked and unloaded. (Greenfieldboyce, 6/7)
The Star Tribune:
Suicide Rates Rise Sharply In Minn., Across Country, Report Shows
The suicide rate in Minnesota jumped 40.6 percent over 18 years, part of a nationwide trend that saw increases in all but one state and prompted public health officials to urge people to get help when facing a crisis. The findings, released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirm what Minnesota officials had already been tracking. Between 1999 and 2016, suicide rates in Minnesota increased across age, sex and racial groups, but lately the rates have been going up the most in rural parts of the state. (Howatt, 6/7)
New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Suicide Rates Climb In Louisiana And In 48 Other States, Report Says
Since the year 2000, suicide rates in Louisiana have risen by more than 29 percent among both men and women. Our state wasn't alone, according to a report released Thursday (June 6) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide rates rose in 49 states between 1999 and 2016 across all age groups, ethnicities, gender and race. (Clark, 6/7)
Boston Globe:
Suicide Rates Rise Sharply Across The US, New Report Shows
Thomas Delaney, a faculty member at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine who studies suicide, said Thursday that several aspects of Vermont life have been linked to higher rates of suicide. The state is rural, and studies show a connection between suicide and living in rural areas. (The state with the highest suicide rate is Montana.) Vermont is home to a high proportion of white people, and whites as a group have higher suicide rates than ethnic groups. The population is also older, and suicide is more common among older people. Firearm ownership is common, and Delaney said “the literature is getting pretty strong” that states with easier access to guns have higher suicide rates. (Freyer, 6/8)
Meanwhile, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's deaths shine another spotlight on the issue —
The New York Times:
Kate Spade’s Suicide Prompts Self-Disclosure And An Outpouring Of Empathy
When news of Kate Spade’s suicide broke Tuesday morning, many readers responded with an outpouring of empathy and support for both Ms. Spade and her family. The death also prompted several Times commenters to reflect on how their own lives had been touched by a similar experience. Many of those readers discussed their personal experiences with suicidal depression and stories of relatives and friends who had taken their own lives. (Moore, 6/7)
The New York Times:
What To Do When A Loved One Is Severely Depressed
Reports of Kate Spade’s suicide and struggle with depression have transformed her from symbol of polished prep to a blunt reminder that suffering affects all types. Her death has inspired hundreds to tweet some version of the same message: Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. (Murphy, 6/7)
Kaiser Health News:
Kate Spade’s Death Ignites Concern About Rising Suicide Rate
Fashion designer Kate Spade’s death Tuesday has reminded Americans of the enormous toll of suicide, a growing problem that claims nearly 45,000 lives a year. Suicide rates in the U.S. have risen nearly 30 percent since 1999, according to a report released Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicides increased in both men and women, in all ethnic groups and in both urban and rural areas. Suicide and “self-harm,” a category that includes attempted suicides, cost the nation $70 billion a year in medical care and lost work time. (Szabo, 6/7)
CNN:
CNN's Anthony Bourdain Dead At 61
Anthony Bourdain, a gifted storyteller and writer who took CNN viewers around the world, has died. He was 61. CNN confirmed Bourdain's death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide. "It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," the network said in a statement Friday morning. "His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time." (Stelter, 6/8)
