Suicide affects millions of people globally each year.
A 2023 study by the Centers for Disease Control determined that suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2023. Over 49,000 people took their lives. Far too many people struggle with mental health and suicidal thoughts in silence. In 2024, the suicide rate rose to numbers we haven’t seen since 1941. It’s a massive problem that only seems to be worsening.
September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Each person who has been brought to the lowest point of suicide has a story of long-term struggle and traumatic experiences.
Suicide rates vary drastically by age and by gender, with men aged 80-84 having the highest suicide rate in the United States. Other factors, such as race and minorities, also affect suicide rates. Young LGBTQ youth are five to eight times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual youth.
The demographic also showed men to be four times higher than women. This fits with cultural and psychological norms and expectations that men must deal with their mental health alone. They see themselves as weak for talking to someone about what they’re going through, for asking for help. This norm has been around for decades. Most men feel emasculated, like they’re begging for help.
Although male suicides continue to be much higher than female suicides, it is becoming more normal for men to talk to mental health professionals. At our own university, we have counselors whom all students can talk to if life gets too overwhelming. In fact, we’re seeing more universities across America making psychologists available for students.
Suicide is the third leading death for 15–24-year-olds. Sixteen percent of college students reported being diagnosed with a depressive disorder. It’s a tough time in someone’s life. They have to adjust to a whole new environment. Some live away from home and from family they’ve lived with their entire lives. Increased academic demands and finding new people to associate with are altogether new areas for many new college students, and many are unprepared for them.
Then there’s the fear of the future. “What if this career isn’t right for me? What if I fail at this?” It’s easy to see how they can get overwhelmed and lost.
Several factors contribute to suicide. Such factors include neurobiology and genetics, personal and family history, stressful events, and sociocultural perspective. The link between suicide and psychology is that psychologists have studied suicidal
behavior for decades.
The National Library of Medicine states, “The key factor leading to suicide is unbearable mental pain.” The tormented soul endures a pain they can’t seem to lose. They begin to see suicide as an escape from their psychological torment. Unbearable mental pain draws people to suicide. It connects them in a way.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, 988 is the number to call or even text. They offer support for everyone.
Resources Aidan Christy Recommends:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2025). Suicide statistics.
https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/
Beautrais, A. L., Joyce, P. R., & Mulder, R. T. (2013). Neurobiology of suicidal behavior:
An integration of biological and clinical findings. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, Article 877.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3773872/
Gray, M. (2025, February 28). US suicide rates reach record highs in 2024 – A statistical
analysis. North American Community Hub. https://northamericancommunityhub.com/us-
suicide-rates-reach-record-highs/
Governors State University. (n.d.). Why is suicide so common among college students?
Retrieved September 20, 2025, from https://www.govst.edu/suicide-prevention/
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Suicide statistics. Retrieved September 20,
2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide#part_2557
Suicide among LGBTQIA+ youth: A review of the treatment literature. (2021). Clinical
Psychology Review.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S135917892100032X
The psychology of suicidal behaviour. (2014). Personality and Individual Differences.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2215036614702226
The Psychology of Suicide: From Research Understandings to Interventions. (2019).
Frontiers in Psychology. PMC6458543.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6458543/