Why Do People Commit Suicide - Essay Example

Suicides According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more Americans now die of suicide than from car accidents. Experts say it points to the true depths of the US economic crisis. Their study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showed that the number of suicides among middle-aged men and women in the United States increased significantly, although, traditionally, suicide prevention efforts have been focused mostly on youths and older adults (Eoton et al., 2011).

Thus, from 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among US citizens between the ages of 35 to 64 increased by about 30 percent, to 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people, a jump from 13.7. In 2010, there were 33,687 deaths from motor vehicle crashes and 38,364 suicides (Eoton et al., 2011). Though shocking the data on US suicide rates are, the numbers are believed to be too low since many deaths are not treated as actual suicides, moreover, there is a lack of information about factors that contribute to risk for suicide (Kposowa & D’Auria, 2010).

Notably, the highest increase in suicide rates happened among baby boomers (people born in 1946-1964), once the greatest generation, whose American dream became a cliché long ago (Kposowa & D’Auria, 2010). In effect, people who used to a comfortable life, are now despaired of job or income loss, many of them being on the verge of poverty. Also, most young people believe their country has become a horrible place to live due to the negligence of the government. Furthermore, considering the increase in prescription psychotropic medication, overindulgence of which may lead to mental illnesses, there is another cause for suicidal thoughts.

Reasons for suicide may be complex, therefore, I believe, we need to pay more attention to awareness of the impact of adverse life experiences on suicidal behaviors in order to provide effective therapy and prevent further suicides in high-risk populations.