Suicides reached an all-time high in the country in 2022. This was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) via a press release in which they reported that the number of people who took their own lives reached 49,449 during the past year, 2.6% more than in 2021. However, the rate fell among 10-24 year olds and among Alaska Natives and American Indians.
Deaths by suicide in the U.S. increased 2.6% in 2022, but decreased among young people and American Indian & Alaskan Native (AI/AN) people, according to new CDC provisional data.
Learn what CDC is doing to prevent #suicide: https://t.co/oZYuDp5yIc#PublicHealth @988Lifeline pic.twitter.com/siMUjudPqo
— CDC (@CDCgov) August 10, 2023
"Too many people" believe that "asking for help is a sign of weakness"
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Manuel Becerra, expressed his concern about this data and stressed that the country "is facing a mental health crisis." Becerra noted that despite the Biden Administration's efforts to combat this scourge, "too many people still believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness."
Nine in ten Americans believe America is facing a mental health crisis. The new suicide death data reported by CDC illustrates why. One life lost to suicide is one too many. Yet, too many people still believe asking for help is a sign of weakness. The Biden-Harris Administration is making unprecedented investments to transform how mental health is understood, accessed and treated as part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. We must continue to eliminate the stigmatization of mental health and make care available to all Americans.
"The defining public health and societal challenge of our time"
These words were endorsed by the surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, who stressed that "mental health has become the most important social and public health challenge of our time." Murthy also warned of the crisis of loneliness affecting Western societies and called for "urgent" action:
Today’s report underscores the depths of the devastating mental health crisis in America. Mental health has become the defining public health and societal challenge of our time. Far too many people and their families are suffering and feeling alone. These numbers are a sobering reminder of how urgent it is that we further expand access to mental health care, address the root causes of mental health struggles, and recognize the importance of checking on and supporting one another. If you or a loved one are in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, please know that your life matters and that you are not alone. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for anyone who needs help.
