The Economist (11/24) reported that around the world, the suicidal “rate has fallen by 38% from its peak in 1994.” Consequently, “over 4m lives have been saved – more than four times as many people as were killed in combat over the period.” Interestingly, this “decline has happened at different rates and different times in different parts of the world.” The exception is the US, where the suicide rate “has risen by 17% to 12.8 – well above China’s current rate of seven.”
In a separate but related article, The Economist (11/24) reported the rising US suicide rate “is largely among white, middle-aged, poorly educated men in areas that were left behind by booms and crushed by busts.” The US, “in particular, could spare much pain by learning from the progress elsewhere” to reduce suicide rates, including “better health services, labour-market policies and curbs on booze, guns, pesticide and” medications.
Related Links:
— “Suicide is declining almost everywhere, The Economist, November 24, 2018.