Suicide is a heartbreaking and tragic occurrence in our society and is particularly pronounced among youths.
When an otherwise healthy young person takes their own life, their family, friends and community are often devastated, wondering what went so wrong – and what they could have done differently.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with 45,979 deaths in 2020 – or one death every 11 minutes.
The CDC estimates that in 2020, 12.2 million American adults seriously considered suicide, while 1.2 million attempted it.
The agency also notes that it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
As a part of the effort to prevent suicide, starting July 16, a new suicide hotline number will go live nationwide.
Most children are taught from an early age what number to call in an emergency: 911.
Now, for individuals in desperate emotional or mental distress, there is a new number for individuals to call: 988.
|