Worth reading: Suicidality is increasing in the US

More bad news. Between 2005 and 2015, the suicide fatality rate in the US increased 13% among those aged 20-64. Suicide attempts increased among all age groups.

“Suicide attempts increased in females, adolescents, and older people, while suicide fatalities (mainly shootings and hangings) increased in those aged 20 to 64. The finding that both incidence and lethality of attempts increased more rapidly in females than males may indicate that the traditional gender differences in suicide risk may soon no longer apply. The increased number of attempts by adolescents may be related to parental opioid use, which increases attempts in their children. Any suicidal ideation should lead to very close monitoring of intention, given the increased lethality of attempts in middle-aged people.”

Summary and comment by NEJM’s Steve Dubosky, MD.

Original paper linked below.


[1] Wang J et al. Trends in the incidence and lethality of suicidal acts in the United States, 2006 to 2015. JAMA Psychiatry 2020 Apr 22; [e-pub]. (https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0596)