[quote]
WASHINGTON — Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults. The rise was particularly steep for women. It was also substantial among middle-aged Americans, sending a signal of deep anguish from a group whose suicide rates had been stable or falling since the 1950s.
The suicide rate for middle-aged women, ages 45 to 64, jumped by 63 percent over the period of the study, while it rose by 43 percent for men in that age range, the sharpest increase for males of any age. The overall suicide rate rose by 24 percent from 1999 to 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which released [URL="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db241.htm"]the study[/URL] on Friday.
The increases were so widespread that they lifted the nation’s suicide rate to 13 per 100,000 people, the highest since 1986. The rate rose by 2 percent a year starting in 2006, double the annual rise in the earlier period of the study. In all, 42,773 people died from suicide in 2014, compared with 29,199 in 1999.
Researchers also found an alarming increase among girls 10 to 14, whose suicide rate, while still very low, had tripled. The number of girls who killed themselves rose to 150 in 2014 from 50 in 1999. “This one certainly jumped out,” said Sally Curtin, a statistician at the center and an author of the report.
American Indians had the sharpest rise of all racial and ethnic groups, with rates rising by 89 percent for women and 38 percent for men. White middle-aged women had an increase of 80 percent.
The rate declined for just one racial group: black men. And it declined for only one age group: men and women over 75.[/quote]
Source: [url]http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/22/health/us-suicide-rate-surges-to-a-30-year-high.html[/url]
Certainly an article to read in full btw. A lot was cut out of OP aside from some interesting numbers.
I was about to say that suicide rates are up all over the world but [URL="http://nsrf.ie/statistics/suicide/"]in Ireland at-least we had a spike around 2009 [/URL]and now they're lower and more consistent.
Doesn't really surprise me. The Internet is to blame for it mostly, but with older people it's probably with all the political stuff going on right now. Didn't the suicide hotlines reach a record amount of callers on the night of the election?
[QUOTE=Vegetable;51586890]Doesn't really surprise me. The Internet is to blame for it mostly, but with older people it's probably with all the political stuff going on right now. Didn't the suicide hotlines reach a record amount of callers on the night of the election?[/QUOTE]
the study only went on til 2014
[QUOTE=Vegetable;51586890]Doesn't really surprise me. The Internet is to blame for it mostly, but with older people it's probably with all the political stuff going on right now. Didn't the suicide hotlines reach a record amount of callers on the night of the election?[/QUOTE]
Mostly LGBT hotlines, if I recall.
I blame the shut out culture. Where I'm from, it's very easy to become isolated. Things are hidden. Where I am now? Socialization is very easy. Every thing is within reach so to speak. This the first time in my life interaction is the norm and not the exception and this made me feel better as a person.
[QUOTE=Zukriuchen;51586896]the study only went on til 2014[/QUOTE]
Oh, sorry. Didn't read.
I've noticed hearing more about young girls committing suicide because of bullying lately, it's always so sad to hear.
[QUOTE=Vegetable;51586890]Doesn't really surprise me. The Internet is to blame for it mostly, but with older people it's probably with all the political stuff going on right now. Didn't the suicide hotlines reach a record amount of callers on the night of the election?[/QUOTE]
Any justification for the internet being behind it? For a lot of people, it can provide safe places where they can talk about and get advice for their problems and find people experiencing similar things, while the abuse that it can provide a vector for would have the opposite affect. Not sure how you can know for certain that the internet is the cause of the increase.
[url=http://www.npr.org/2014/09/10/347468288/economy-social-isolation-may-be-driving-up-suicide-rates-in-boomer-men]Isolation + desperation is a fast track to suicide.[/url]
When (most) people are isolated they become depressed, because humans are social beings. [url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201309/the-love-hormone-drives-human-urge-social-connection]Being social secretes hormones that make us feel pleasure[/url], and [url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19194770]being alone increases stress hormones and our risk of health problems.[/url] Even introverts need to socialize, they just also need time alone.
With the horrible economy/job market, political unrest, stress of making a living, constant bombardment of threats either present or far off (losing your livelihood, global warming, terrorism, being unable to provide for your family, it ranges from things you should fear and prepare for to things you realistically cannot), possible illness, disease, mental illness or injury that is too expensive to treat thanks to the prices of healthcare, and [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/upshot/how-social-isolation-is-killing-us.html?_r=0]how paradoxically with the rise of the internet we've become more isolated[/url], it's no wonder why people are driven to suicide.
At the senior center I work at I've met people who have no one in their lives. They never had kids, either never married or are a widow/er, have family that never visits and ignores them/mistreats them, or maybe they are the last survivor of their family. The senior center is their chance to make friends and be part of a community. Others choose the church. Some don't have the social skills to make friends because they've been isolated so long. Those crazy cat ladies are coping with their social isolation by getting pets, and while pets definitely help with loneliness and depression they can't replace human interaction. There's a reason why solitary confinement is seen as cruel and unusual - it will drive you mad, or it will drive you to suicide.
The only thing I can suggest for people who have no one in their lives is to get help. If you can't afford therapy to help you build the skills/coping skills necessary to build a social life, look up ways to meet people and ways to cope with the anxiety you might get thinking of meeting people or actually meeting people. Meetup is a great website to just meet people around a scheduled activity, and worst case scenario if it doesn't work out you won't see those people again. Many people who self isolate are highly sensitive to social cues and believe other people "hate them", "think they're weird", "don't like them", etc. when the people they talk to are probably more concerned with themselves and their own problems and don't even pick up on that kind of stuff.
You can blame the [url=https://www.thefix.com/content/rise-us-suicide-rate-could-be-linked-opioids91633]rise on opiate abuse[/url]. Lots of people are committing suicides after digging themselves a hole with addiction, and it's to the point now where people are actively seeking out stuff like fentanyl to OD in their sleep with.
[QUOTE=SleepyAl;51587345][url=http://www.npr.org/2014/09/10/347468288/economy-social-isolation-may-be-driving-up-suicide-rates-in-boomer-men]Isolation + desperation is a fast track to suicide.[/url]
When (most) people are isolated they become depressed, because humans are social beings. [url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201309/the-love-hormone-drives-human-urge-social-connection]Being social secretes hormones that make us feel pleasure[/url], and [url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19194770]being alone increases stress hormones and our risk of health problems.[/url] Even introverts need to socialize, they just also need time alone.
With the horrible economy/job market, political unrest, stress of making a living, constant bombardment of threats either present or far off (losing your livelihood, global warming, terrorism, being unable to provide for your family, it ranges from things you should fear and prepare for to things you realistically cannot), possible illness, disease, mental illness or injury that is too expensive to treat thanks to the prices of healthcare, and [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/upshot/how-social-isolation-is-killing-us.html?_r=0]how paradoxically with the rise of the internet we've become more isolated[/url], it's no wonder why people are driven to suicide.
At the senior center I work at I've met people who have no one in their lives. They never had kids, either never married or are a widow/er, have family that never visits and ignores them/mistreats them, or maybe they are the last survivor of their family. The senior center is their chance to make friends and be part of a community. Others choose the church. Some don't have the social skills to make friends because they've been isolated so long. Those crazy cat ladies are coping with their social isolation by getting pets, and while pets definitely help with loneliness and depression they can't replace human interaction. There's a reason why solitary confinement is seen as cruel and unusual - it will drive you mad, or it will drive you to suicide.
The only thing I can suggest for people who have no one in their lives is to get help. If you can't afford therapy to help you build the skills/coping skills necessary to build a social life, look up ways to meet people and ways to cope with the anxiety you might get thinking of meeting people or actually meeting people. Meetup is a great website to just meet people around a scheduled activity, and worst case scenario if it doesn't work out you won't see those people again. Many people who self isolate are highly sensitive to social cues and believe other people "hate them", "think they're weird", "don't like them", etc. when the people they talk to are probably more concerned with themselves and their own problems and don't even pick up on that kind of stuff.[/QUOTE]
Location and the local culture matter ALOT
Edit holy shit my flagdog says USVI!
[QUOTE=Guriosity;51587458]Location and the local culture matter ALOT[/QUOTE]
I'd agree with this. But I'd like to say that I think the internet itself is helping slowly override this location based (essentially) sentencing. Cyberbullying aside.
I live in a metropolitan area, however In my case I had basically no one physically around that could help me sort my stuff out. And my family just made everything worse as I crumpled and sank under the pressure they put me under, I isolated myself because they would have driven me crazy faster otherwise. But of course I was essentially slamming the breaks on everything, I'd say I went into stasis but I didn't stop declining, just dramatically slowed it down. I never came close to suicide, it crossed my mind now and again but I never entertained it for very long, but I can see where I might have if things got worse.
However things are getting better now, finally, and I would not be where I am right now, able to stand on my own two feet and function in society, partially, and on the road I'm heading down, which is hopefully going to see me at the very least financially independent, without the help of the cavalcade of sperglords I met on the internet and call my friends. I'm still doing everything myself, but I have the support I need to keep doing that.
This should only make sense, as I met people from nearly every corner of the world to play video games. Odds were good that a few of them would be able to help me even a little. And I think people should realize how effective this is.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587415]You can blame the [url=https://www.thefix.com/content/rise-us-suicide-rate-could-be-linked-opioids91633]rise on opiate abuse[/url]. Lots of people are committing suicides after digging themselves a hole with addiction, and it's to the point now where people are actively seeking out stuff like fentanyl to OD in their sleep with.[/QUOTE]
Yes. Blame the victim and act like Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Joe.
[QUOTE=goon165;51587598]I'd agree with this. But I'd like to say that I think the internet itself is helping slowly override this location based (essentially) sentencing. Cyberbullying aside.
I live in a metropolitan area, however In my case I had basically no one physically around that could help me sort my stuff out. And my family just made everything worse as I crumpled and sank under the pressure they put me under, I isolated myself because they would have driven me crazy faster otherwise. But of course I was essentially slamming the breaks on everything, I'd say I went into stasis but I didn't stop declining, just dramatically slowed it down. I never came close to suicide, it crossed my mind now and again but I never entertained it for very long, but I can see where I might have if things got worse.
However things are getting better now, finally, and I would not be where I am right now, able to stand on my own two feet and function in society, partially, and on the road I'm heading down, which is hopefully going to see me at the very least financially independent, without the help of the cavalcade of sperglords I met on the internet and call my friends. I'm still doing everything myself, but I have the support I need to keep doing that.
This should only make sense, as I met people from nearly every corner of the world to play video games. Odds were good that a few of them would be able to help me even a little. And I think people should realize how effective this is.[/QUOTE]
There is a difference between socialization being a fabric of everyday life and it being out of reach and optional
[QUOTE=DOCTOR LIGHT;51587667]Yes. Blame the victim and act like Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Joe.[/QUOTE]
The addict chooses to start doing stuff like heroin, oxy, vicodin, and fent. No one forced you to do any of it. The addiction may push you deeper and make it harder to quit doing them, but the reality is that under almost all circumstances, you pick up the pills, needle, or snort the line.
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
This is talking from experience by the way.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]This is talking from experience by the way.[/QUOTE]
Obviously not much experience if you think anyone with serious issues can just drop it with a handful of asprin.
[QUOTE=snapshot32;51587803]Obviously not much experience if you think anyone with serious issues can just drop it with a handful of asprin.[/QUOTE]
Im a person who went cold turkey after dancing with gin for years. I don't get hooked to any thing. I have seen others get hooked quickly and not do well. Everyone is different.
[QUOTE=snapshot32;51587803]Obviously not much experience if you think anyone with serious issues can just drop it with a handful of asprin.[/QUOTE]
If that's the case, people should go get medical help as their dependence requires medical attention.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587844]If that's the case, people should go get medical help as their dependence requires medical attention.[/QUOTE]
But not before they blow their finances and try the ol' asprin trick, huh?
Do you realize how detached your post sounded?
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]
you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
This is talking from experience by the way.[/QUOTE]
evidently not
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]The addict chooses to start doing stuff like heroin, oxy, vicodin, and fent. No one forced you to do any of it. The addiction may push you deeper and make it harder to quit doing them, but the reality is that under almost all circumstances, you pick up the pills, needle, or snort the line.
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
[B]This is talking from experience by the way[/B].[/QUOTE]
You have nothing to gain from lying on the internet.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]The addict chooses to start doing stuff like heroin, oxy, vicodin, and fent. No one forced you to do any of it. The addiction may push you deeper and make it harder to quit doing them, but the reality is that under almost all circumstances, you pick up the pills, needle, or snort the line.
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
This is talking from experience by the way.[/QUOTE]
I'm straight edge and even I think this post is dumb
This is not how addiction works or how to treat an addict
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]The addict chooses to start doing stuff like heroin, oxy, vicodin, and fent. No one forced you to do any of it. The addiction may push you deeper and make it harder to quit doing them, but the reality is that under almost all circumstances, you pick up the pills, needle, or snort the line.
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
This is talking from experience by the way.[/QUOTE]
I know two people who have died from prescription painkiller abuse. Neither of them "chose" to start doing their stuff - both of them got injuries and were prescribed it by a doctor, and then continued using it after they had been using it under doctor's orders for months.
When a doctor says "take this it'll make you feel better," and you get addicted to it, did you really make that choice? You deferred to the doctor's experience and knowledge, and that, combined with a genetic predisposition to addiction, gets you killed.
I've done a load of drugs and I'm lucky enough to not be particularly predisposed to addiction. I've also seen friends fall into cycles of addiction where they stopped making choices and their brain's physical [I]requirement[/I] for the drug started making those choices for them.
Addiction is not a personal flaw, it's a health issue, and if you're going to blame individuals for getting addicted to drugs and excuse their suicide or overdoses because of one bad decision, just know that if you ever get cancer it's probably because of that one time you yelled at your dog and so you deserved it. The just-world fallacy is absolute horseshit - if you think that way, I feel sorry for you.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]The addict chooses to start doing stuff like heroin, oxy, vicodin, and fent. No one forced you to do any of it. The addiction may push you deeper and make it harder to quit doing them, but the reality is that under almost all circumstances, you pick up the pills, needle, or snort the line.
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
This is talking from experience by the way.[/QUOTE]
I was myself addicted to opium (oxynorm and oxycondone) after a large accident and it's not just about "not taking it". The pain was fucking awful, it seriously felt like someone hade a flamethrower to my leg because it hurt so much. So I started to get pretty strong opium drugs to numb it, and I took these drugs for some 5-6 weeks. I then started the detox and I have never felt so shit ever in my life before. I'm honestly surprised people do not commit suicide during the detox phase. It was that terrible and yeah maybe you have experience from it, but some people take this drugs for years to numb their pains and they simply can't stop because it gets so terrible.
Blame tumblr for this because of all those black & white blogs that repost 0.5 second gifs.
I had a very good friend of mine hang himself a couple of weeks ago. The numbers don't lie
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587844]If that's the case, people should go get medical help as their dependence requires medical attention.[/QUOTE]
Medical help which is heavily stigmatized, unaffordable to many, and could compromise their future prospects of ever finding a job. The people most at risk of addiction to stuff like heroin are also in the weakest position to break the cycle.
Are you this unsympathetic to suicide in general? 'They chose to kill themselves, nobody forced them, they could just choose not to so they have no sympathy from me'?
[QUOTE=catbarf;51589089]Medical help which is heavily stigmatized, unaffordable to many, and could compromise their future prospects of ever finding a job. The people most at risk of addiction to stuff like heroin are also in the weakest position to break the cycle.
Are you this unsympathetic to suicide in general? 'They chose to kill themselves, nobody forced them, they could just choose not to so they have no sympathy from me'?[/QUOTE]
If you're familiar with his posts, you'll find he's generally an unsympathetic person. It's a common theme I've noticed across the years.
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587736]
You got the choice to not do it, and when you have withdrawal because you need to pay some pills, and have no money for whatever your vice is, you have the decision to go clean then by popping some aspirin and chewing on some vitamins, and just dealing with the four day come down.
[/QUOTE]
Except that's not how opiate withdrawal fucking works. It's genuinely lethal. And I am speaking from experience, by the way, considering I had to perform CPR on my stepfather after he suffered a withdrawal-based cardiac episode.
[editline]27th December 2016[/editline]
[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;51587844]If that's the case, people should go get medical help as their dependence requires medical attention.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, and your country has such a wonderfully sociable free medical framework and addict-protection laws that allow people to approach professionals for help, doesn't it?
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