Suicide in the United States
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Suicide in the United States is the 11th leading cause of death in the country. In 2006, the total number of suicide deaths was 33,300. It was the 7th leading cause of death for males, and 16th leading cause of death for females. Suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.[1] In 2008, it was observed that U.S. suicide rates, particularly among middle-aged white women, had increased, although the causes were unclear.[2] The government seeks to prevent suicides through its National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a collaborative effort of SAMHSA, Centers for Disease Control, NIH, HRSA, and Indian Health Service.[3] Their plan consists of 11 goals aimed at preventing suicides.[4] Older adults and adolescents age 14-25 are disproportionately likely to die by suicide.[5]
Some U.S. jurisdictions have laws against suicide or against assisting suicide. In recent years, there has been increased interest in rethinking these laws.[6]
Suicide has been associated with tough economic conditions, including unemployment.[7] War seems to have peculiar effects on suicide rates.[8]
Suicides also involving attacks on others
There have been many high-profile incidents in the United States in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s of individuals committing "suicide by cop" or killing others before killing themselves. Examples would include the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 2010 Austin plane crash.
See also
References
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- ^ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml
- ^ http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2008/baker_suicide.html
- ^ http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/strategy.asp
- ^ http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA01-3518/default.asp
- ^ http://www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=916
- ^ Engelhardt, H. Tristram Jr.; Malloy, Michele (1982–1983), Suicide and Assisting Suicide: A Critique of Legal Sanctions, vol. 36, Sw. L.J., p. 1003
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ DS Hamermesh, NM Soss (1974), An economic theory of suicide, The journal of political economy
- ^ Marshall, James R. (1980–1981), Political Integration and the Effect of War on Suicide: United States, 1933-76, vol. 59, Soc. F. 771
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