#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #Suicide Rises To 11th Leading Cause Of Death In The US In 2021, Reversing Two Years Of Decline

By Deidre McPhillips, CNN

The #suicide rate in the #UnitedStates returned to a near-record high in 2021, reversing two years of decline, according to a report released Thursday by the US #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.

Final data for the year shows that #suicide was the 11th leading cause of death nationwide, with more than 14 deaths for every 100,000 people. The death rate has increased 32% over the past two decades, and the 4% jump between 2020 and 2021 was the sharpest annual increase in that timeframe.

#Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34 and fifth for people ages 35 to 54.

The #suicide death rate was four times higher among #men than #women in 2021, #CDC data shows, as it has been in many years prior. Rates increased significantly for #men of most ages between 2020 and 2021 but were relatively unchanged for #women of most ages, except for a significant rise among those 75 and older.

Rates were highest among #AmericanIndian people – about twice as high as average for #men and three times as high for #women – and rates spiked about 17% between 2020 and 2021. Rates also increased significantly for #Black and #White #men and #women.

Another report published Thursday by the #CDC shows that #adolescents were the age group most likely to visit the emergency department for #suicidalthoughts in recent years.

#Children are facing increasing #mentalhealthchallenges, with significant shares of both #teen #girls (57%) and #boys (29%) saying they felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. Nearly 1 in 3 #teen #girls said they seriously considered attempting #suicide, a recent #CDC survey found.

But growing demand for services is matched with a nationwide shortage of beds for #children who need #mentalhealth help, leaving many #children waiting in emergency department beds and crowding hospitals.

#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com