Unprecedented Number of Suicide Cases in America

Government data released on Thursday revealed that the number of deaths due to suicide reached an unprecedented level in the United States in 2022, with estimates rising to more than 49,000, an increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the suicides in the United States in 2022 involved firearms. U.S. Health Secretary Javier Becerra stated, "Nine out of ten Americans believe that America is facing a mental health crisis. The new suicide death data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains why." He noted that "many people still believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness." The suicide rate for 2022 was 14.9 deaths per 100,000 individuals, which is a 5% increase over the previous record level set in 2018, which was 14.2 deaths per 100,000 individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that suicide deaths rose from 48,183 in 2021 to an estimated 49,449 in 2022.