Discussion
The second consecutive year of declining suicide rates in the United States is encouraging and is consistent with other high-income and upper-middle-income countries that experienced either unchanged or declining suicide rates during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] From 2019 to 2020, the U.S. suicide rate decreased by 3%, with significant declines among both females and males. Overall suicide rates declined in large metropolitan areas and in seven states and remained stable in other county urbanization levels and states. Rates of suicide by fall, poisoning, and suffocation declined significantly. Although, rates among non-Hispanic White females and males declined from 2019 to 2020, the suicide rate among Hispanic males and non-Hispanic multiracial females increased. Although many age groups experienced a decline in rates, rates increased among persons aged 25–34 years; rates were highest among persons aged ≥85 years, followed by those aged 75–84 and 25–34 years. Moreover, whereas rates were stable among most racial/ethnic groups, and in most states and county urbanization levels, some subgroups experienced increases, underscoring that persistent health disparities remain. Provisional data indicate similar case counts in the first half of 2021 compared with the first half of 2020.[1]
As the nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term effects on isolation, stress, economic insecurity, and worsening substance use, mental health, and well-being, prevention is critical.