While the question “How Many Suicidal Deaths Since The Election?” is a pressing one for many, it’s crucial to first understand the broader landscape of suicide and suicide attempts, especially in the U.S. Complete and real-time data on suicidal deaths and attempts are complex to gather, but available statistics offer a vital snapshot of this critical public health issue.
It’s important to recognize that suicide tragically affects all segments of the population, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or race. Though rates may differ across these demographic groups, suicide is a universal concern. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a key role in collecting data related to suicide, drawing information from hospital emergency department records for non-fatal self-harm injuries, as well as conducting national surveys.
Examining the most recent data from 2021, we find that emergency departments across the country recorded approximately 148.2 visits for nonfatal self-harm injuries per 100,000 individuals. This figure underscores the significant number of people seeking immediate medical care due to self-harm.
To further understand the prevalence of suicide attempts, the 2022 National Survey of Drug Use and Mental Health provides valuable estimates. This survey indicates that around 0.6% of adults aged 18 and older reported attempting suicide at least once. This percentage translates to an estimated 1.6 million adults in the U.S. When considering racial and ethnic differences, the survey revealed that suicide attempt rates varied, ranging from a high of 1.5% among American Indian or Alaskan Native or Multiracial adults to a low of 0.1% among Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander adults. For other groups, the rates were 0.9% for Black adults, 0.6% for White and Hispanic adults, and 0.2% for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and Asian adults.
Looking at younger populations, the 2021 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey provides insights into suicide attempts among students in grades 9-12. This survey showed that 10.0% of high school students reported attempting suicide within the past 12 months. Notably, female students reported attempting suicide nearly twice as often as male students (13% compared to 7%). Among racial and ethnic groups within this age range, American Indian or Alaska Native students reported the highest rate of suicide attempts (16%), while white students reported a rate of 9%. Furthermore, approximately 3% of all students reported attempting suicide to the extent that it required medical treatment from a doctor or nurse.
These statistics, while not directly answering “how many suicidal deaths since the election?”, provide critical context. They highlight the ongoing and widespread nature of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across various demographics in the United States. Understanding these trends in suicide attempts is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and ensuring that resources are available to support mental health and reduce the incidence of both suicide attempts and deaths. Further research and continuous data collection are vital to monitor these trends and inform public health initiatives.
