By Theresa TamkinsTUESDAY, Oct. 21 (Health.com) — After a decade-long decrease, U.S. suicide rates have started to rise, largely due to an increase in suicides among middle-aged white men and women.
Whites age 40 to 64 have “recently emerged as a new high-risk group for suicide,” according to the study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Suicides increased between 1999 and 2005 by about 3% annually in white men and 4% in white women age 40 to 64, according to Susan Baker, MPH, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, and her colleagues. Suicide rates remained the same in Asians and Native Americans, and declined in blacks.
Overall, the suicide rate rose in the early 1980s, then dropped each year from 1986 to 1999. From 1999 to 2005, however, the rates have increased 0.7% annually.
In all, 32,637 people killed themselves in the United States in 2005, a rate of 11 per 100,000 people.
Guns are the most common method of suicide, but their use has declined over time. Suicide by hanging or suffocation has increased among both men and women.
The reason for the increase is unknown. But if economic conditions continue to decline, suicides could go up. “This is a concern, especially when one looks at the high rates during the Great Depression,” says Baker.
Seetal Dodd, PhD, a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne in Australia, has found that suicide rates tend to fluctuate with the economic trends—at least in men.
The study is cause for concern, Dodd says, because it identifies middle-aged white men as the new high-risk group for suicide—the same section of the population at risk for suicide during an economic downturn.
“There is a considerable risk that the current economic situation may result in a further spike in the suicide rate for men of working age, especially if we start to see an increase in unemployment and a decrease in housing affordability and consumer sentiment,” Dodd says.
Robert Bossarte, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester in New York, says that people have traditionally focused on suicide prevention in the very young and the old—but not necessarily the middle-aged. Historically, people over 65 have had the highest suicide rates, but this study suggests that trend is changing.
“The most important take-home message is try to understand what’s unique about the [middle-aged] population and what message would be most effective at preventing this,” he says.
A number of factors could be affecting the middle-aged, including taking care of aging baby-boomer parents, or coping with substance abuse or unemployment.
Bossarte also notes that while rates are rising in women, men are at greater risk overall.
“There’s something unique about the life circumstances of white, middle-aged males that is contributing to this risk,” he says. “The key is getting people into treatment and getting people to use the resources that are available to them.”
Comments (39)
I’m 42 and starting a new career. I am stressed about keeping my temp job. I have no health insurance and worry about saving for retirement. I worry about social security, medicare, the environment, the wars, and the deficit. With the outcome unknown I don’t feel safe and secure. I get depressed about my future prospects. I have thought about suicide but keep trying to live.
Well stay strong. The future is not always where we need to look. Your not alone and we all have to stick together, even when half the time we don’t have the emotional strength to even keep our heads up, we can all together on this.
Good luck.
‘are all together on this’
whrldps, don’t think. Just do it!
Worried about future prospects? I’m an autoworker for 10 years, their is nothing to look forward to for us anymore. I am barely hanging on to sanity. Hang tough buddy. America will pull through. And so will you and I.
whrldps – if you’re not busy, rent Hannah and Her Sisters. I just watched it for the first time tonight. Might be interesting for you to watch.
One day at a time my friend. A lot of what is troubling you is entirely out of your control. Take stock of what you do have control over.
I am 15, and I knew a middle aged bipolar man that killed himself when i was at his house last summer. I have thought about suicide before, and just recently broke up with my girlfriend, so it’s even harder. Plus I suffer with depression. I pray that everyone will try to hold on for the good things in life. I may not know any of you, but I hope the best for everyone.
“…and I thought to myself: join the Army! It’s free!”
suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. we all hurt, we’ve all been there. please find a way to love yourself and respect yourself not to do something so drastic. nobody can save you, but yourself. take ownership of your life and strive towards a positive life one small step at a time. you are loved!
Miguel, what a horrible thing to suggest.
whrldps, a lot of people are in your boat. I just turned 40 and just started a new career as well, and will probably have to take a second job to pay off credit card debt. I do have health insurance (thank god.)
We have to support and encourage each other on this planet, or what’s the point of it all?
do not eat so much processed food, be less materialit, enjoy friends and family, beleive in something… travel (to Brazil for example), meet new people, new cultures, don’t work so much, live your life.
I’ve sometimes considered suicide, but I’ve realized the problem is it provides no satisfaction: You don’t even get to see the world go on without you, much less get to see whether anyone is sorry you’re not around anymore. You just take yourself out of the picture. Believe it or not, the world will not crumble in your absence. Nor will it be a better place without you. You’re probably stronger and tougher than you think. Hang in there. Don’t you want to see how the movie comes out?
Few people suicide for the satisfaction of it. The fact that you don’t get to see people regret your death probably has little to do with one’s desire to commit suicide. It’s an escape from the punishment of the world, not a way to punish the world.
Love others, and love yourself. There are more important things than your 401k or whatever political event might be going on. There is someone out there who loves you.
Jump!
So sad. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem!
http://www.internet-privacy.pl.tc
With population high on this planet, I don’t understand why the consensus is that suicide is a mistake, at least for middle-aged and older. Obviously not right for the young. I am middle-aged and depressed, but not suicidal. Some people have lives of nonstop “temporary” problems. Also, there are not marvelous resources available as some claim.
It’s interesting to note that worrying about health care is one of the factors leading some to suicidal thoughts. If ever there was an argument for universal health care (like we sort of have in Australia), this is it.
Funny, I was ready to dangle off the balcony last week but I changed my mind. Today actually I realized that in those moments I let my thoughts and emotions proceed with auto-self-destruct, where in reality I do have the say in how I feel at any moment. Being the king of your own castle has a more profound meaning now. Wish you all a long fulfilling life.
Suicide has been a very large problem for Japan for a very long time. There are been several steps taken by the Japanese government and other private organizations to try to help people so they don’t commit suicide.
This just kills me!
On a very serious note! Suicide is the easy way out. But depression is real – you need to get help and talk it out. Wallowing in self pity only increases the “utter despair”. Thing about the ones who will forever be affected by your actions. I note I am there right now!!!!
For me, I think it comes down to expectations. I grew up in a family of four brothers, a school teacher father and a mother who was stay-at-home until we were in our teens. I would think that with a degree in computer science, and more than a decade of experience as a computer professional things would go well for me.
Instead I find I would never be able to purchase the house I grew up in. I’ve been bankrupt after being unemployed or underemployed for two years, and I’ve had two houses foreclosed in less than six years.
I think if I’d just lowered my expectations to understand that a computer programmer in the 2000′s might not be as successful as a high school teacher in the 1970′s, I could have planned my lifestyle to be more spartan. But in that case, I’m sure my wife would have left me, so at least I’m not going through these depressing times alone…
guys, does not matter whether u wanna commit suicide, just think how it will affect ur family
TODD, are you kidding me. Do you think maybe your causing the situation your in. Your the reason for the bailouts. Two foreclosed houses in six years. Don’t you think you should have gotten your life back on track after you lost the first one. Don’t worry about it though, I just lost my job due to poor economy because people lived with to much credit on there backs and no savings. I’m sure your situation. How much money did you put down. Would it be safe to say nothing. And I would be willing to bet that at least one of your mortgages were interest only or at the least fluctuating. Nice touch blaming your wife though. I expected you to go after the banks for screwing you on a bad loan. And if this was the case then you should not be employed because you are to dumb to read a contract.
I just recently found out I was bipolar. I have the depression end of it the most and I find it real hard to cope sometimes. I’m tired all the time, lost interest in my favorite things. I’m scared that its not going to get any better.
Many years ago while contemplating suicide. and in a deep depression.A British lord (lord Hailsham) was on TV relating the greif his brother’s suicide had on the family. He suddenly said suicide is “wrong wrong wrong” in such completely heartfelt way.It stayed my hand, and I rang for help. Just try to get past that terrible moment!
If you’re considering suicide, please think again. And find someone to talk with, preferably a counselor. My sister committed suicide 15 years ago and it left a lot of pain and an ugly scar on the whole family. You are not alone. You’re connected with lots of others. Just pick up the phone and call someone who cares. And yes, there is SOMEONE who cares about you, no matter how much you may be convinced that there isn’t. Just call!
I have had to go through the process of scaling down an unsuccessful venture recently. I am now without a job – and without any motivation or energy. I have a great family – but my past mistakes haunt me. Especially when these mistakes seem to overshadow any reason that could have been the cause. I want to end it all.
I was terminated from a high-powered, high-paying job in 2006 because of illness. My life is ruined, I am contemplating suicide. Once a person is terminated, no other person would hire him/her. I am searching for ways to commit suicide, either by sleeping pills or cyanide poison. Money is the most important thing in one’s life; without it, a person is nothing.
My husband committed suicide two years ago. It devastated our family and friends. We will live the rest of our lives hurting from this terrible tragedy. Please call someone for help if you are depressed. Talk to your doctor, there is help out there. You WILL be missed if you take your own life–and you are hurting more than yourself.
I am at my end.I am now bed ridden.no longer wanna get out of it.I am reaxdy 2 swallow all my sleeping pills cuz 1or 2 aint enough I still wake up.I have a husband n 2 small daughters.my husband is scared 2 death but he’s in iraq n can do nuthin but watch me fade.my kidz still love me regardless n I love them but I hate kids n don’t want anymore ever!!I’m thinking about buying a rope n tieing it up on the stircase n kicking the chair out from underneath me.I don’t how I got to this point but itS progrssing fast.I feel like there is no hope
I am 42 and have 3 children I have been sparated frm my husban for 4 years. I recently lost my job and now I work part time and go to school. I have been thinking about ending my life too becaus smetimes it is too hard to go on. I too lost my health care benefs, lost my retirement fund due to a family emergency, witnessed my middle son attempting suicide this year 2 times!i too struggle to get out o bed daily! I hope the new president-elect helps us all to eas th burden a little bit I wish he could read our comments maybe a chang would come sooner
OMG, you guys are truly depressing! You should log off the computer and go outside and get some air. Yes it’s bad out here but I think that the economy is not the reason the majority of you want to kill yourselves. You guys have had serious issues to begine with.
I think about suicide EVERY DAY! I try to come up with reasons to NOT do it. SO far, the “do its” out number the “don’t do its” My problem is that I’m a major coward! I’m so afraid I’ll screw this up too. Then what? Life as a vegetable in a state ward somewhere? There’s got to be a guaranteed way “out” and I mean to find it.
Hi Laura, I’m an editor at Health.com and just wanted to say thank you for commenting on this story (and thank you to others who have commented as well). The experts I talked to strongly emphasized that there is help out there. Please try talking with the folks at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK), or another suicide prevention hotline.
We also have a ton of content on coping with depression, treatment options, and links to other Web sites that might be able to help. Take care and all the best. Theresa
I am a 47 year old white male. I think about suicide quite often. I’ve tried medication, it doesn’t help. The sad part is that by most measures I’m very successful. It’s my family that depresses me. I have an unappreciative wife who just keeps riding the gravy train. Sure, I can get a divorce. Then I have to give her half of everything I’ve worked for for the past 25 years and continue to support her while she searches out what makes her happy. Sounds fair. The only reason I don’t kill myself is because of my son. I’ll just keep dragging myself out of bed everyday, go to my crappy job, pay some bills, and go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat.
So many sad stories, but none of which are truly bad. You all should realize that just because times are hard or you have a crappy job, doesn’t mean you should off yourself. You have the incentive to achieve something you want and it is possible. I’m only 19 and I feel my heart sank when I read all of the comments. But, its still possible to live a happy life. Suicide is not the best solution. I will pray for all of you.