In recent years, there has been a concerning upward trend in suicide rates in the United States. A new study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder has shed light on unexpected underlying causes behind this troubling phenomenon.

The research, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, analyzed over 16 million deaths among US adults from 1990 to 2017. The study identified two significant spikes in suicide rates, one occurring in 1997 and the other in 2007.

One striking finding of the study was the impact of increased access to potentially lethal prescription opioids on women's suicide rate. Following the introduction of the long-acting opioid OxyContin in 1996, women's suicide rates by poisoning, the preferred method among females, began to rise steadily. Between 1997 and 2017, these rates increased by about 2% annually, affecting women aged 40 to 55 the most. The study suggests that the potent and readily available opioids played a crucial role in this devastating increase.

Notably, states without prescription drug monitoring programs experienced more substantial increases in women's suicide rates due to poisonings. After accounting for other factors, the researchers concluded that the approval, easy access, and over-prescription of opioid-based pain relievers were the sole drivers of the alarming increase in self-poisoning suicides among women from 1997 to 2006.

Another significant factor contributing to rising suicide rates among both men and women was the impact of economic downturns. The study found a strong correlation between state-level financial indicators, such as stagnating wages, higher unemployment, and increased poverty, with suicide rates. The onset of the Great Recession in 2007 saw these rates increase significantly and continue to climb even after the recession subsided. Disproportionately, American Indian/Alaska Native women experienced an alarming annual increase of 9% during this period.

The authors of the study highlighted the importance of recognizing structural determinants of suicide risk, alongside individual and psychological factors. They emphasized the need for institutional interventions, such as providing job opportunities and access to proper healthcare, as crucial tools in addressing this crisis.

Lead author Daniel Simon, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology and research affiliate with the Institute of Behavioral Science, stated, "Giving a person a job or proper health care can also be a suicide-prevention tool." The study's findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to combatting the rising suicide rates, focusing not only on individual-level interventions but also on addressing broader societal and economic factors.

With suicide rates reaching alarming levels, this study serves as a call to action for policymakers and healthcare professionals to prioritize mental health support, increase regulation of the pharmaceutical industry, and strengthen the social safety net to provide necessary assistance during economic downturns.

As the research continues to uncover the intricate web of factors contributing to these devastating trends, it is crucial for society to come together to address this urgent issue and prioritize the well-being of its citizens.

Reference:
Simon, D. H., Masters, R. K. (2024). Institutional Failures as Structural Determinants of Suicide: The Opioid Epidemic and the Great Recession in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. DOI: 10.1177/00221465231223723