Suicide rates in America are rising and a pattern among data resembles a change in the type of person most likely to attempt, and in turn commit suicide ((NIMH), 2017). After looking at the statistics through and before the 2000’s reasonable conclusion is drawn to address a possible causation increasing suicide rates and noticed transitioning in the most likely age group to commit suicide. Evidence, as presented in the following, shows a positive relationship between the increasing rate of individuals seeking a college education and increasing suicides and suicide attempts.

Early 2000’s

In 2015, the average person to commit suicide, in America, was mostly likely a white middle aged male living along, a cluster of more rural states referred to as the suicide belt. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Website in 2015; men’s suicide rates were 3.5 times that of women, with middle-aged [45–65 years] men accounting for 7 out of 10 suicides that year. With age and gender aside, White Americans were the most likely race to commit suicide at 15.06% and Black Americans were the least likely at 5.7% (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2015). With all information contributed, it is safe to assume the average person to commit suicide in 2015 was a white middle-aged man. Castro (2013) summarizes what the suicide belt is and the reasons why suicide occurs her often; this part of the United States of America has some extreme landscapes resulting in let collective population and more isolation among individuals. This isolation results in many troubles when it comes to preventing, identifying and treating mental health problems associated with suicide, such as depression.

Late 2000’s

As of 2016, the middle-age group has the highest suicide rates at but have decrease half a percent from 2015 bringing their rate to 19%. On the contrary, the 15–24 age group’s rate increased by 1% (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2018). This increase is in line with young adults being the most likely to have thoughts or tendencies of suicide ((NIMH), 2018). This data presents the possibility of a trend that could result in fewer young adults reaching middle-age or becoming elders. This trend may be a result of the increasing amount of college students in the United States.

Education and Suicide

The stresses of college can be life threatening as many sources have shown a direct relation between college age students and suicide. Suicide Prevention Resource Center (2014) noted suicide to be the leading cause of death among students in 2014. Though with further examination on the subject, it is found that suicide has been a common issue among the college atmosphere long before the year 2014. CollegeDegreeSearch.net (2015) addressed suicide as a very real and present issue at the time using various bits of information about suicide rates of college students, including the 200% increase in suicide rates within fifty years leading up to 1996. Since 1995 suicide rates have continued to increase, likely due to the increase in individuals seeking a college education. In the years 2000 to 2015 there was a 5% increase in college enrollment, specifically in the age group 18–24 years (National Institute for Education Statistics, 2017). With this 5% increase in enrollment there has been a 3.1% increase in suicide rates among a similar age group (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2018).

The outline of a social epidemic has been present for years and the issue continues to peruse (3). Perhaps, future research can reveal a solid foundation on which to correct this social epidemic.

References

(NIMH), T. N. (2017, November). Suicide. Retrieved from .nimh.nih.gov: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml

Castro, J. (2013, March 29). Where is the Suicide Belt? Retrieved from livescience.com: https://www.livescience.com/34470-suicide-belt.html

CollegeDegreeSearch.net. (2015). Crisis on Campus: the Untold Story of Student Suicides. Retrieved from collegedegreesearch.net: http://www.collegedegreesearch.net/student-suicides/

National Institute for Education Statistics. (2017). Fast Facts. Retrieved from nces.ed.gov: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372

Prevention, A. F. (2018). Suicide Statistics. Retrieved from afsp.org: https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2014, May ). Suicide Among College and University Students in the United States. Retrieved from www.sprc.org: http://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/migrate/library/SuicideAmongCollegeStudentsInUS.pdf