In a recent study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder, researchers have identified a new driver behind the increasing suicide rates in the United States. Rather than solely attributing the rise to declining mental health or social media exposure, the study points to weak regulatory oversight of the pharmaceutical industry and the country's frayed social safety nets as significant contributors.

The study, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, analyzed the records of over 16 million deaths of U.S. adults between 1990 and 2017, with 600,000 of them being suicide cases. Researchers Daniel Simon and Ryan Masters focused on intentional poisoning and non-poisoning suicides to identify notable turning points.

The first turning point occurred in 1997, a year after the introduction of the potent long-acting opioid, OxyContin, into the market. This marked a significant increase in poisoning suicide rates among women, with devastating consequences. The availability and over-prescription of opioid-based pain relievers were found to have detrimental effects on female suicide rates, particularly in states without prescription drug monitoring programs.

The second turning point was observed in 2007, coinciding with the housing and financial crash. Non-poisoning suicides among both men and women experienced a spike during this period. The study found a strong correlation between suicide rates and changes in economic conditions such as rising poverty, unemployment, and stagnant wages. Unfortunately, the study suggests that the U.S. government's inadequate response to alleviate financial burdens worsened individuals' vulnerability to economic stressors, leading to continued elevated suicide rates even after the recession had subsided.

The findings highlight the need for improved regulatory oversight of the pharmaceutical industry and more robust social safety nets to address the rising suicide rates in the United States. The study's authors emphasize that the impact of economic downturns on mental health can be mitigated through targeted measures to alleviate financial hardships.

It is important to remember that help and support are available for those in crisis. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, sending a text to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visiting 988lifeline.org.