According to a study released on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of suicides in the United States increased by 4% in 2021 compared to 2020 after falling for two straight years. The research states that the number of suicides increased from 45,979 in 2020 to 47,646 in 2021, translating to a rise in the rate per 100,000 individuals from 13.5 in 2020 to 14.
The greatest suicides occurred in October 2021, when 4,211 people committed themselves, an 11% increase over the same month in 2020 when 3,781 people did. All other months than January, February, and July saw greater monthly suicide rates in 2021 than in 2020. In comparison to women, who had a rate of 5.6 per 100,000 people, up from 5.5 in 2020, men had a 3% higher suicide rate of 22.7 per 100,000 people.
The age range of 15 to 24 had the biggest rise in male suicide rates, with an 8% increase from 2020. The research states that rates marginally increased for all other age categories with “no notable” drop.
In all age categories outside 65 to 74, women also saw minor rises, albeit the drop was not thought to be particularly noteworthy.
Following two years of decline, there were rises, with 2020 showing a 3% decrease from 2019. According to the organization, suicides surged 35% overall nationally between 1999 and 2018, then decreased 2% in 2019 and 3% in 2020.
The study’s data was gathered from death certificates up until May 15, 2022, and it warned that it would need to be changed since death investigations might take longer to complete and submit to the CDC.
The Boston University School of Public Health reported in April that American Indians and Native Alaskans had the highest suicide rates, with rates of 33.8 per 100,000 males and 11 per 100,000 women in 2017.
The second highest rate that year was for white people, with 28.2 per 100,000 men and 7.9 per 100,000 women.
According to the report, rates for Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islanders were 9.9 per 100,000 for males and 3.9 per 100,000 for women in 2017.
Because some groups, notably Blacks, are less likely than whites to leave behind notes or documentation, the statistics suggest that some ethnic groups may be underreported.
