Middle-Aged Americans (45-64) are Dying by Suicide at an Increasing Rate

Statement from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on the New Mortality Report from the CDC

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Apr 22, 2016, 12:02 ET

NEW YORK, April 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for Disease Control released today the report "Increase in Suicide in the United States, 1999–2014" in which they compared suicide data from 1999 with the most recent suicide data from 2014. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and is the only top leading cause of death for which the rate is increasing. Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the nation's largest suicide prevention organization, released this statement about the report:

"We applaud the CDC for taking a closer look at the data related to suicide, as this is a critically important health care issue that deserves our full attention. We were encouraged to learn that for older Americans (over 75 years), the suicide rate has been decreasing recently. However, we were very troubled to see the rate increasing remarkably for people between the ages of 45 and 64, for both men and women.

The data presented in this report is just one cross section of what we need to get a full picture of the suicide rates across America. Today, only 32 of the states in the United States have fully adopted the National Violent Death Reporting System, the database system through which we are able to gather more detailed information about suicide related deaths and expand our knowledge about the factors involved when people die by suicide. This information is essential to developing, informing and evaluating suicide prevention programs which is the reason AFSP continues to advocate for full funding and implementation of the NVDRS.

As the nation's largest private funder of suicide research, we know that suicide prevention efforts that are concentrated and strategic can be successful. We have seen that targeted efforts can reduce suicide rates and many of these can be expanded for wider impact and more lives saved. As a nation, we need to invest our time and resources in such prevention efforts. The lives of millions of Americans depend on it."

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.