Suicides hit all-time high in 2022: CDC data

The number of U.S. suicide deaths reached an all-time high in the year of 2022, according to provisional data released Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

An estimated 49,449 people died by suicide in the United States last year, up approximately 2.6 percent from the estimated 48,183 in 2021. 

Suicide trends, however, saw a decrease among young people and an increase among older demographics. 

Suicide deaths for people ages 10-24 years decreased by approximately 8.4 percent, dropping to 6,529 in 2022, from 7,126 in 2021. 

The trend reverses for other age groups. Suicide deaths for people ages 25-44 years rose by 0.7 percent, from 16,724 in 2021 to 16,843 in 2022. Such deaths for people ages 45-64 rose by 6.6 percent, from 14,668 to 15,632 in 2022. For people ages 65 and over, suicide deaths rose by 8.1 percent, from 9,652 in 2021 to 10,433 in 2022.

The suicide rate for American Indian/Alaska Native people also saw a decrease in 2022 — though the sample pool was smaller. Suicide deaths declined by 6.1 percent, from 692 people in 2021 to 650 people in 2022. Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander also saw an increase in deaths — albeit with a smaller number of total people. Suicide deaths rose by 15.9 percent, from 82 people in 2021 to 95 people in 2022. 

Other demographics saw a steady increase in suicide rates. White suicides rose by 2.1 percent, from 36,681 to 37,459; Black/African American deaths by suicide rose by 3.6 percent, from 3,692 to 3,825; Asian suicide deaths rose by 5.7 percent, from 1,379 to 1,458; and multiracial suicides rose by 7.9 percent, from 631 to 681. 

The male suicide rate was up 2.3 percent, from 38,358 deaths in 2021 to 39,255 deaths in 2022. The female suicide rate was up 3.8 percent, from 9,825 deaths in 2021 to 10,194 deaths in 2022. 

Suicide had been rising steadily from the early 2000s until 2018. In 2019 and 2020, the number of suicides dipped slightly, before rising again by approximately 4 percent in 2021, with 48,183 deaths.

Despite the increase in such deaths, many say that the increase in resources and awareness to mental health issues gives some hope. A new national crisis line launched a year ago, so people can dial 9-8-8 and get help from mental health specialists.

The number of deaths listed for 2022 by the CDC represent the provisional data, which are based on death certificate data received but not fully reviewed. The 2021 death numbers represent the finalized data.