More than a decade of steadily rising rates have made suicide the nation's 10th leading cause of death and
one of only three causes of death - including Alzheimer's disease and drug overdoses -
that are increasing in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a report that examines trends in suicide at the state level from 1999 to 2016, the CDC says suicide rates have increased in nearly every state. In half the states, the agency found the rate rose more than 30 percent.
In releasing the report - the same week fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead by suicide - CDC officials noted that
more than half of those who died by suicide - 54 percent - did not have a known diagnosed mental health condition.
A new study on suicide trends in 27 states found that many victims acted after relationship problems or loss; substance misuse; physical health problems; or job, money, legal or housing stress.
"Our data suggests suicide is more than a mental health issue," said Deborah M. Stone, lead author of that study. Noting that
suicide is "very rare" among those with chronic depression, Stone said friends, families and co-workers should not overlook the risk of self-harm among people who have never been diagnosed with mental illness.
Comment: Life is suffering, often unbearably so. The only antidote is meaning, something mainstream culture does not offer - unless you want to attach yourself to rightwing or leftwing identity politics. But there's an
antidote to chaos and useless suffering. It can start with something as simple as clearing up your diet ... or your room. In other words, take responsibility for yourself, your environment, and the people around you. Pay attention, make yourself useful, and realize that what you do actually matters.
Comment: Sadly, Mexico keeps descending down the spiral of barbarism.