It is a tragedy that the world has lost two people who were so widely loved and admired but clearly saw no future worth living for. Their deaths, so public and so shocking, show that none of us are immune to anxiety, depression or despair, even those among us whom seem to appear the most resilient.
Suicide is on the rise globally, accounting for nearly 1 million deaths annually. Within the United States, suicide rates have risen 30% in the last twenty years. According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
- In 2016, there were 44,965 recorded suicides (though due to the stigma surrounding suicide, it is suspected that it is unreported.)
- On average, adjusted for age, the annual U.S. suicide rate increased 24% between 1999 and 2014.