I’m an old Internal Medicine and Geriatrics doc; don’t have much experience with suicide. One of my patients during residency committed suicide after my residency partner and I saved him from death by intentional antifreeze poisoning. Shortly after leaving our care, he hanged himself while in the psychiatric hospital. He was determined to end it all, I guess.
A few years later, a family friend who had two young children, facing divorce from an unhappy marriage, committed suicide. Since then, I have brushed up against suicide as it has affected the families of several friends. Members of my own family have faced mental health issues, but (thankfully) no one has committed suicide.
Today’s TMA Medical News Roundup reported on the national 988 crisis hotline, and also on the increased number of suicides among Blacks – especially black teen females. I’ve attached the two summaries below. Suicides, like unintentional deaths by overdose or chronic substance abuse are often termed Deaths of Despair for obvious reasons. If you or a family member have lost the ability to experience pleasure and meaning in life, consider reaching out for help from 988.
From my TMA medical newsfeed:
As 988 Suicide And Crisis Lifeline Heads Into Its Second Year, It Still Faces Hurdles Regarding Awareness, Staffing, And Routing
According to CNN (7/13, Viswanathan), as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline “heads into its second year of existence,” it “still has some hurdles to overcome when it comes to awareness, staffing and routing.” For example, “many people still don’t know that the lifeline exists or that 988 call centers face ongoing staffing challenges – and are actively seeking counselors.” What’s more, “since 988’s launch, there have been state-by-state differences in the implementation and funding of the crisis line.”
Black Suicide Rates Have Steadily Climbed In Last Two Decades, With Young Black People Most At Risk, CDC Data Reveal
USA Today (7/16, Ramirez) reports, “Black suicide rates, among the nation’s lowest prior to 2000, have steadily climbed in the last two decades – and young Black people are most at risk: According to” data (PDF) from CDC, “rates among those aged 10 to 24 rose 36.6% from 2018 to 2021, the largest percentage jump among any demographic.” What’s more, “the problem is particularly acute among girls: In 2020, suicide was the leading cause of death for Black girls aged 12 to 14.”