The re‐emerging suicide crisis in the U.S.: Patterns, causes and solutions

• Published in: Journal of policy analysis and management 2024-03, Vol.43 (2), p.582-612
• Main Authors: Marcotte, Dave E., Hansen, Benjamin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 20th century; Attrition (Research Studies); Bullying; Economic hardship; Evidence; LGBTQ people; Mortality; Opioids; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Trends; Victimization; Youth
• ISSN: 0276-8739; 1520-6688
• DOI: 10.1002/pam.22526

The suicide rate in the United States has risen nearly 40% since 2000. This increase is puzzling because suicide rates had been falling for decades at the end of the 20th century. In this paper, we review important facts about the changing rate of suicide. General trends do not tell the story of important differences across groups—suicide rates rose substantially among middle‐aged persons between 2005 and 2015 but have fallen since. Among young people, suicide rates began a rapid rise after 2010 that has not abated. We review empirical evidence to assess potential causes for recent changes in suicide rates. The economic hardship caused by the Great Recession played an important role in rising suicide among prime‐aged Americans. Among those under 25, nearly all the increase in suicide mortality during the 2010s can be explained by an increase in the prevalence of depression. Bullying victimization of LGBTQ youth could also account for part of the rise in suicide. The evidence that access to firearms or opioids are major drivers of recent suicide trends is less clear. We end by summarizing evidence on the most promising policies to reduce suicide mortality.