Suicide in the United States
Encyclopedia
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. In 2008, it was observed that U.S. suicide rates, particularly among middle-aged white women, had increased, although the causes were unclear. 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
. Their plan consists of 11 goals aimed at preventing suicides. Older adults are disproportionately likely to die by suicide.
Some U.S. jurisdictions have laws against suicide or against assisting suicide. In recent years, there has been increased interest in rethinking these laws.
Suicide has been associated with tough economic conditions, including unemployment
. War seems to have peculiar effects on suicide rates.
" or killing others before killing themselves. Examples would include the 1999 Columbine High School massacre
, the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre
, the September 11 attacks and the 2010 Austin plane crash
.
Cause of Death
Cause of Death is a 1990 album by American death metal band Obituary. Cause of Death is considered a classic album in the history of death metal. The artwork was done by artist Michael Whelan...
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. In 2008, it was observed that U.S. suicide rates, particularly among middle-aged white women, had increased, although the causes were unclear. 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
Indian Health Service
Indian Health Service is an Operating Division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . IHS is responsible for providing medical and public health services to members of federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Natives...
. Their plan consists of 11 goals aimed at preventing suicides. Older adults are disproportionately likely to die by suicide.
Some U.S. jurisdictions have laws against suicide or against assisting suicide. In recent years, there has been increased interest in rethinking these laws.
Suicide has been associated with tough economic conditions, including unemployment
Unemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
. War seems to have peculiar effects on suicide rates.
Murder-suicide
There have been many high-profile incidents in the United States in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s of individuals committing "suicide by copSuicide by cop
Suicide by cop is a suicide method in which a suicidal individual deliberately acts in a threatening way, with the goal of provoking a lethal response from a law enforcement officer or other armed individual, such as being shot to death....
" or killing others before killing themselves. Examples would include the 1999 Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
, the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre
Virginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
, the September 11 attacks and the 2010 Austin plane crash
2010 Austin plane crash
The 2010 Austin suicide attack occurred on 18 February 2010, when Andrew Joseph Stack III, flying his Piper Dakota, crashed into Building I of the Echelon office complex in Austin, Texas, United States, killing himself and Internal Revenue Service manager Vernon Hunter. Thirteen others were...
.