Suicide deaths in the United States skyrocketed in 2022, reaching an all-time high of nearly 50,000 deaths last year — which is an increase of roughly 2.6%.
Joe Biden's record is full of, well, records…
The most US suicides ever in a year – 50,000 in 2022
The most drug overdose deaths in a year – 106,000 in 2021
The highest inflation in 40 years – 8.9% in June 2022
The most illegal immigrants in a year – 2.76 million+ in 2022
The…— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 10, 2023
The provisional estimates were released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. According to the data, suicide deaths declined in 2019 and 2020 — but the numbers began to increase amid the pandemic. In 2021, suicide deaths increased by roughly 5% to 48,183 deaths — while the number increased again in 2022 to 49,449 deaths.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra released a statement about the news.
“One life lost to suicide is one too many. Yet, too many people still believe asking for help is a sign of weakness,” the statement read. “We must continue to eliminate the stigmatization of mental health and make care available to all Americans.”
Dr. Debra Houry, who serves as Chief Medical Officer at the CDC, also published a press release about the increase, calling it “troubling.”
“The troubling increase in suicides requires immediate action across our society to address the staggering loss of life from tragedies that are preventable,” the press release read. “Everyone can play a role in efforts to save lives and reverse the rise in suicide deaths.”
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has argued that the solution to this problem is more access to mental health care.
“These numbers are a sobering reminder of how urgent it is that we further expand access to mental health care, address the root causes of mental health struggles, and recognize the importance of checking on and supporting one another,” Murthy wrote in a statement.
Amid the increase in suicide deaths, officials are reminding Americans about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — which can be reached by calling or texting 988, as well as by chatting online at 988lifeline.org.
The 988 Lifeline offers support for everyone — and has specialized call, text, and chat services for:
✔️ Veterans, service members, and their families
✔️ Spanish speakers
✔️ LGBTQI+ youth and people under the age of 25Connect with 988 and get the support you need. pic.twitter.com/1QSkMekocv
— Secretary Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) August 9, 2023
Meanwhile, many have pointed to serious issues with the culture and the celebration of mental illness as possible reasons behind the increase.
“A recent poll shows that belief in God in the US has dropped to 74%, and belief in Hell has dropped to 58%. Meanwhile, the US had 50,000 suicides in the year 2022 – the highest number ever recorded. America is facing a nihilism crisis,” Catholic YouTube host Pax Tube wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A recent poll shows that belief in God in the US has dropped to 74%, and belief in Hell has dropped to 58%.
Meanwhile, the US had 50,000 suicides in the year 2022 – the highest number ever recorded.
America is facing a nihilism crisis. pic.twitter.com/eBCM9w288f
— Pax Tube (@MioHondaFan) August 11, 2023
YouTube host and journalist Tim Pool discussed the increase in suicides on his Timcast IRL podcast, pointing to the authoritarian COVID restrictions as one of many reasons behind the increase. He also asserted that the poor living conditions in cities compared to rural living may also be a factor — arguing that living in a U.S. city is “like living in a sewer,” leading to depression and ultimately suicide.
