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Midlife Suicide on the Rise
The suicide rate among middle aged Americans is increasing faster than any other age group.
Midlife Suicide Rises, Puzzling Researchers, The New York Times, Feb. 19, 2008
The data, released in a December 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows an almost 20% increase in suicides among 45-54 year olds between 1999 and 2004. By contrast, the rate of death by suicide for youth and seniors decreased or remained relatively stable. Middle-aged women, in particular, are at greatest risk, although the cause of this trend remains unclear.
Some experts attribute the increase in female suicide deaths to a drop in the use of hormone replacement therapy, resulting in more cases of depression. Others view the overall increase among men and women as the result of many factors such as, failed relationships, substance abuse, financial troubles, and the prospect of growing older. Substance abuse, particularly prescription drug abuse, is pinpointed as a prime suspect. Overuse of drugs and alcohol can increase the tendency for impulsive and risky behavior, and CDC officials note that drug abusers have a suicide rate 15-25 times greater than the general population.
Many prevention programs focus on youth or senior suicide, but do not acknowledge the middle aged. Dr. Eric Caine notes that there is a "national support system for those under 19, and those 65 and older, but not for people in between, even though the bulk of the burden from suicide is in the middle years of life."
CrisisLink offers programs and services to individuals in all age groups, in all stages of crisis, from someone who is struggling with major depression and thoughts of suicide, to someone who is having financial trouble and feels they have nowhere to turn. Our 24-hour suicide, crisis, and Information & Referral Hotlines provide callers with the tools they need to help themselves. As the 2-1-1 service provider for Northern Virginia, CrisisLink's trained Information & Referral call specialists make it easy to access health and human services in the region. CrisisLink's Hotline listeners are trained in problem-solving and given information about resources in the community that help with issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, and more. With the appropriate resources and the proper tools to help individuals process intense emotions, CrisisLink is helping to save lives, prevent tragedies, and put an end to this alarming trend.
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