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2020 Suicide Rate Declined
According to the CDC, the rate of suicides in the US declined by roughly 6% in 2020. This decline was unexpected, seeing that so many Americans were laid off from their jobs and millions became isolated during the same year.
There is plenty of room for debate on this subject, however. Deaths from drug overdoses increased in 2020 by a whopping 30%, with over 93,000 Americans dying by overdose. This was the highest number in American history. Without indications showing that death was intentional by this means, it becomes nearly impossible to determine how many of these deaths may have actually been suicides.
There are many theories floating around about the reason for the decline in the official suicide rate. My own belief is that the suicide rate declined as a result of increased access to mental health resources, even if electronically. The past year and a half have offered more affordable access to such resources than have ever been available in the history of this country.
Another aspect may well be people having more time with their families than they had for years prior to 2020. This acted as a reminder of why they spend so much time working and away from their families.
