The COVID-19 epidemic sparked a mental health catastrophe in the United States, which experts predict will last for years.
Multiple reports showed a gradual rise in anxiety, sadness, and substance use issues as Americans lost family members, employment, and health due to COVID-19. Despite the rise in mental health difficulties, government research reported a drop in suicide deaths over this time period.
As per a study undertaken by specialists at the CDC and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the total rate of suicide in 2020 was 3% fewer than in 2019. In 2020, male suicide numbers were 2% decreased and female rates of suicide were 8% reduced.
“Suicide is complex and multifaceted and just having an increase in risk factors does not translate to more deaths by suicide. The findings illustrate the complexity of suicide,” declared the lead author of the study.
The results, according to mental health specialists, continue on the previous year’s fall. From 2003 to 2018, the number of annual suicide fatalities climbed significantly until it declined by 2% between 2018 and 2019.
Suicide rates for individuals of color, on the other hand, have climbed, according to the report. Between 2019 and 2020, the rate of suicide among Hispanic men climbed by 5%. Although the data were not statistically meaningful, researchers noticed an increase among men of colour.
Suicide rates varied by age group as well. Suicide rates among men may have decreased by 2% overall, but they soared by 13% among those aged 10 to 14, and 5% among those aged 25 to 34. Women aged 15 to 24 had a 4% higher risk, however, the authors highlighted that this did not achieve statistical significance.
In March through December, the incidence of suicide fatalities was smaller in 2020 than in 2019, but greater in January, February, and November. Experts predicted that July would have the biggest number of suicide fatalities in 2020.
