Dying by suicide is on the minds of children, teens, young adults, adults and seniors throughout the nation and in Virginia.
Suicide is a top 10 cause of death among Americans ages 10-64. For ages 10-14 and 25-34, it is the second leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Suicide rates increased in the United States approximately 36 percent from 2000-2022.
“Suicide was responsible for 49,476 deaths in 2022, which is about one death every 11 minutes,” the CDC reports, adding that “the number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher.”
In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million people seriously thought about suicide, 3.8 million planned a suicide attempt and 1.6 million attempted suicide.
In Virginia, the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association evaluated the number of emergency room visits related to attempted suicides in the state dating back to 2020.
The analysis found that the number of ER visits increased from 2020 to 2023 statewide, from 863 to 920 cases.
The analysis showed that numbers peaked in 2021 with 985 emergency department visits statewide and declined over the next two years still resulting overall in an increase.
Emergency department visits related to suicide attempts rose 14.14 percent from 2020-2021; the overall increase from 2020-2023 is 6.6 percent.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org
For local mental health resources, visit AFP’s Project Mental Health page.
Related stories: Suicide prevention
- UVA experts on teens: ‘It’s not unusual’ for them to have thoughts of suicide
- Veterans in crisis: $4.5M in federal funding will support suicide-prevention in Virginia
- Report: Youth and teen suicide by firearm at all-time high in United States
- Secure firearm storage may help reduce veteran, youth suicide deaths
- Youth suicide up nearly 50 percent; few who died had mental health diagnosis
- Study: Researchers find increases in preteen suicide, especially among girls
- Researcher: Study finds ‘significant increase in pediatric suicides’ in Virginia, nationwide
Share
Crystal Graham
