Over 48,000 people died by suicide in the U.S. in 2021. That sorrowful figure is the latest in a two-decade-long rise in the country’s suicide rate. Worldwide, suicide takes more than 700,000 lives annually and is the fourth leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds. And for every death, many more people either attempt or contemplate the act.
While such statistics are stark, they can also mask the personal tragedy of suicide. Suicidal thoughts stem from painful and unique life circumstances. Without the proper care, coping skills, and social connections to manage such circumstances, a person may lose their sense of self-worth and drown in feelings of despair and hopelessness.