Suicide is Increasing in America and the World

Suicidal Ideation is a Growing Phenomenon for Both Youth and Adults

Feb 4, 2009

Suicide is the loss of hope and faith at the point when emotional pain and depression becomes overwhelming. The rate has been growing throughout America and the world.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has answered one million calls since beginning on January 1, 2005. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline stated it received 545,000 calls at their 133 centers in 2008. This was an increase of about 36 percent over the calls received in 2007. This does not include, however, all the calls made to local hotlines, lifelines, helplines, emergency rooms and 211 and 911 service centers.

The Center reported that callers needed help because of foreclosure problems, worries over job losses, evictions, insurance losses, divorce, and reductions in public health programs. Many callers identified that they felt alone and isolated in their struggles with their problems, a common finding among those with suicidal ideation. They believe there is no way out of their problems. Currently the calls to the national center average about 47,500 per month, with more than 1,580 people calling each day.

Suicide currently is the 11th leading cause of death among all age groups in the United States. Across the country, someone dies by suicide every 17 minutes, accounting for more than 30,000 deaths annually. In the United States, more people die by suicide than by homicide.

Suicide and the Military

The article, “Army Suicides at 3-Decade High” (Pauline Jelinek, the Associated Press, January 29, 2009), revealed that suicides among U.S. soldiers rose in 2008 to the highest level in decades, according to an announcement by the US Army. At least 128 soldiers -- and perhaps more -- killed themselves in 2008. The suicide figure is the highest since record keeping began in 1980. The Marine Corps also recorded increases in suicides in 2008, at a rate of 16.8 per 100,000 troops. According to a report last year by the Congressional Research Service, while the true incidence of suicide among military veterans is not known the Veteran’s Administration estimates that 18 veterans a day, or 6,500 a year, take their lives.

Suicide across the World

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicidal attempts are greatest in the eastern European and Asian countries. Worldwide, suicide accounts for nearly half of all violent deaths, nearly 1 million fatalities each year, according to WHO.

In the article, “Suicide Rates of the World and Why People Kill Themselves” (A Wide Angle View of India, Chris Pearson, May 11, 2007), it is revealed that suicide rates have increased by 5-62% across the world in the last two decades. Almost every country is experiencing this problem, with a special finding that more young people are killing themselves than ever before. The article specifies that Europe, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Ukraine and Hungary have high suicide rates. Belgium, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, France, S. Korea and Japan have a fairly high rate of suicide. Denmark, Germany, China, Sweden, Australia, Canada, India, the US, and Singapore fall in the middle with an average suicide rate, and Spain, Italy, UK, Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, Iran, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan have a very low suicide rate.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

With some 133 call centers, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. Its mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Calls regarding either yourself or a friend are free and confidential.

All suicide is tragic and unnecessary. The goal of the Lifeline is to affirm life, offer assistance, and to prevent the act of suicide. If a person is in danger of hurting themselves or is concerned about a family member, friend or co-worker, he or she should call the Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE. Help is available. Hope is available. Life is too precious to allow it to needlessly perish.

References

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