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Publication Date

1-1-2024

Keywords

high suicide rates, young adults, United States, leading cause of death

Volume

2024

Abstract

The United States has a much higher suicide rate than other developed countries with an average of 14.5 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people per year. By contrast, the majority of countries across Europe, South America, and Asia report substantially lower rates, typically falling below 10 deaths per 100,000 people each year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young adults in the United States. Suicide is a public health crisis and is caused by multiple factors like untreated mental illness, individual attitudes towards suicide, and socio-economic status. Suicide leads to the negative consequence of suicide copycats, or people who complete suicide as a form of imitation after someone dies by suicide. This phenomenon is largely caused by mass media coverage of a celebrity’s suicide and by people being exposed to the suicidal behavior of someone close to them. It can also take a negative toll on the mental health of the family and friends of the victim. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is proven to be one of the leading treatments for suicidal ideation. DBT teaches skills that help individuals cope with their extreme emotions, impulsive behavior, and suicidal thoughts. However, DBT may not be accessible to everyone because of the financial cost and lack of physical locations.

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