A National Mid-Life Crisis: Middle-Age Suicides Skyrocket
by Anthony Sibley (AJ) on Jul 11, 2013 | Views: 552 | Score: 2
1999 | 2010 | |
---|---|---|
15-34* | 11.6 | 12.25 |
35-39 | 14.4 | 15.3 |
40-44 | 14.3 | 16.7 |
45-49 | 14.3 | 19.3 |
50-54 | 13.4 | 19.9 |
55-59 | 12.8 | 19.1 |
60-64 | 11.4 | 15.6 |
65 and Older* | 15.3 | 14.9 |
*2000-2010 percent change
Suicide rate per 100,000 persons, 1999 to 2010
Sources:
cdc.gov, suicidology.org
Suicides, usually considered a problem of teenagers and the elderly, have sharply risen among middled-aged Americans in recent years, nearly 30% in the last decade. The most striking increases were for 50s-aged men, almost 50%, and women 60-64, nearly 60%. Firearms still lead as the most common suicide method, though poisoning and hangings increased markedly, 24% and 81%.