Suicide Prevention: A Stagnant Effort in the Face of Rising Numbers

The US has seen a steady increase in suicide rates over the past two decades, with 50,000 deaths by suicide reported in 2022 alone. Despite the implementation of national suicide prevention strategies, including hotlines, school curriculums, and telehealth services, the number of suicides continues to rise. Pooja Mehta, a mental health and suicide prevention advocate, emphasized the complexity of suicide prevention, stating, "We act like we know everything there is to know about suicide prevention, but we really don't know enough. " The current strategy, the Federal Action Plan, involves over 200 actions to be taken over the next three years to lower suicide rates and treat those most at risk. However, experts warn that this plan may not be effective in high-risk states like Wyoming, where poverty rates are higher and access to mental health professionals is limited.The latest data from the CDC suggests that suicides are more common in the US than at any time since World War II. In 2022, 49,500 adults died by suicide, an all-time high. The rates have been particularly grim in rural states, with up to double the deaths compared to more urban areas. The lack of awareness about the 988 crisis line is also a concern. According to a poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Ipsos, only one in four Americans are familiar with the 988 crisis line. If we continue to rely on the same ineffective strategies, will we see a significant decline in suicide rates? What if we didn't focus solely on reactive measures, but instead invested in preventative efforts, such as addressing the root causes of depression and increasing access to mental health resources?