CDC Says Suicide Rates Fell In 2020 But Rates Among Younger Americans Went Up

The number of Americans who committed suicide fell in 2020 but the rate rose for younger Americans, particularly people of color.

An analysis released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a two-decade rise in suicide rates has abated. The decline comes despite the economic and social turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were 45,855 suicides in 2020, down 3% from 2019, when the decline first began.

Suicides were lower across demographic categories. The CDC reported declines for those between the ages of 35 and 74. Those in the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups fell by 1.7% and 2.6%, respectively.

Suicides were 2% lower for men than in 2019 and 9% lower for women. Across racial groups, suicide rates dropped by 5% for American Indians and Alaska Natives, by 6% for Asian Americans and by 3% for non-Hispanic whites.

However, there was a grimmer picture for younger Americans.

Suicides for young men between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 rose by 13% and 5%, respectively. There was a 4% increase for women and girls ages of 15-24. Men have traditionally accounted for more suicide deaths than women because they often use deadlier suicide methods, like firearms, or because they are less likely to be treated for mental illness than women.

Rising suicides among younger Americans were also consistent across different races. Suicides among Black and Hispanic Americans were up slightly between 2019 and 2020, but suicides among men in both groups rose by 3% and 5% each. Hispanic males between the ages of 10-14 saw 29% more suicides than in 2019 and Black females in this age group saw a 31% jump.