Global / American Suicide Rates

Wonder why.

I think the lifestyle in the US is probably more stressful than some other places. The US culture also seems to value (and allow) for individual isolation. In my opinion, human beings are less stable when isolated. Having constant group exposure seems to moderate extremes in behavior. So partly, excessive wealth allow for isolation. This is my anecdotal impression. I have no data to back it up.

No worries. At this point, everybody’s speculating. I think your comments have merit.

When looking deeper into how countries across the planet were doing, I did notice that there are other places too, which, have had increases. Albeit not as much as the U.S.; However, it's occurring.

Focussing in on the U.S. though, the reasons are many. Some right in front of our eyes. Yes, I'm referring to the computers and smartphones. They have not only brought about isolation; they have also brought cyber-bullying. A number of people here in the U.S. left notes indicating that was the deciding factor.

Of course there is also the constant need to try and keep up with everyone else. Not to mention the shaming which takes place if a person fails to do so. Shaming of course is a form of bullying.

Increased drug usage, both legal and the illicit. Those tiny little pills screw with the brain and thinking. They clear away our freedom. They take away our realization that there are family and friends who care. People who will be devastated by the sudden loss.

Some medications prescribed to battle depression have the deadly side-effect. Cymbalta for example can increase suicidal ideations for some. That one of i know of personally as it was prescribed for me for a separate medical matter.

Then there is the continued discussion of physician assisted suicide for health reasons. A person near the ledge, may figure if it's acceptable for a person with a terminal illness or who has a handicap or sustained injury making their quality of life so dreadful, then they too should have such a right. To the suicidal person, the mental pain they are enduring is just as life altering.

Wanting to get out of the world on one's own terms, before the world kills them.


So many reasons. To answer the question of 'why?', I can only say, I wish I knew and that everyone else did as well. Maybe then, it could be worked on.

Over worked, underpaid, feeling unappreciated.

I also agree that smart phones and overstimulation play a part in this.

Suicide is rarely the answer. I would be so pissed if any of my friends chose that path.

Some recent data re American suicide trends.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/to-your-health/wp/2018/06/07/u-s-suicide-rates-rise-sharply-across-the-country-new-report-shows/

Suicide rates rise sharply across the United States, new report shows

I suspect there are as many answers to the question of "why" as there are individual acts of suicide. Somehow the calculus of "why/why not" gets tipped and people choose termination over continued suffering. The report states that over half of the victims "were not known to have mental health conditions"; remember this when you hear the predictable calls to "increase mental health services".

None of these problems are "new" but they all seem to have become more toxic. It's as if the coping mechanisms that allow people to deal with the cognitive dissonance of alienation. The cosmetic veneer is being rubbed rather thin.

How Suicide Quietly Morphed Into a Public Health Crisis

This rat race we call a life here is a big part of it I believe, many are way to busy chasing there tails to have time or notice what's going on with people or to do anything about it!