The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released provisional data showing that the number of suicide deaths in the United States reached an unprecedented high in 2022.
Last year, an estimated 49,449 individuals died by suicide, marking an increase of approximately 2.6% from the previous year’s estimate of 48,183.
While suicide rates declined among young people, they increased among older demographics.
Suicide deaths among individuals aged 10-24 decreased by about 8.4%, with the number dropping to 6,529 in 2022 from 7,126 in 2021.
However, this trend was reversed in other age groups. Suicide deaths among those aged 25-44 increased by 0.7%, from 16,724 in 2021 to 16,843 in 2022. Among individuals aged 45-64, the number of suicide deaths rose by 6.6%, from 14,668 to 15,632 in 2022. The same trend was observed for those aged 65 and over, as suicide deaths increased by 8.1%, from 9,652 in 2021 to 10,433 in 2022.
The suicide rate among American Indian/Alaska Native individuals also declined in 2022, albeit with a smaller sample size. Suicide deaths decreased by 6.1%, from 692 individuals in 2021 to 650 individuals in 2022. On the other hand, the Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander community experienced an increase in suicide deaths, although the total number of individuals affected was relatively low. Suicide deaths rose by 15.9%, from 82 individuals in 2021 to 95 individuals in 2022.
Other demographic groups saw a steady increase in suicide rates. White suicides increased by 2.1%, from 36,681 to 37,459; Black/African American deaths by suicide rose by 3.6%, from 3,692 to 3,825; Asian suicide deaths rose by 5.7%, from 1,379 to 1,458; and multiracial suicides rose by 7.9%, from 631 to 681.
The male suicide rate increased by 2.3%, from 38,358 deaths in 2021 to 39,255 deaths in 2022. Similarly, the female suicide rate rose by 3.8%, from 9,825 deaths in 2021 to 10,194 deaths in 2022.
From the early 2000s until 2018, suicide rates in the United States had been consistently rising. Following a slight decrease in 2019 and 2020, the number of suicides increased by approximately 4% in 2021, resulting in 48,183 deaths.
Despite the concerning rise in suicide deaths, many find hope in the increased availability of resources and awareness regarding mental health issues. A national crisis line was launched one year ago, allowing individuals to dial 9-8-8 and receive assistance from mental health specialists.
The data on deaths for 2022 provided by the CDC is provisional and based on received death certificate data that has not been fully reviewed. The death numbers for 2021, on the other hand, represent finalized data.
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