A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported suicide rates rose 28 percent between 1999 and 2016. Roughly 13.4 out of 100,000 individuals commit suicide in the U.S. These numbers might seem shocking, and they should.
Why are we still treating suicide like an isolated phenomenon when it’s the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.? Americans must recognize suicide for what it is — a public health crisis.
We must first rid our culture of the stigma surrounding suicide. Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon – nearly 4 percent of the adult U.S. population reports having them, according to the CDC.
It’s imperative we stop treating suicide and suicidal tendencies as unmentionable tragedies, too scary to face. Portraying suicide as shameful only increases the likelihood a person will suffer in silence. Roughly 90 percent of those who commit suicide had a diagnosable mental illness, further proving suicidal thoughts are more of a symptom than a disease.
Contrary to popular belief, studies show asking someone whether he or she experiences suicidal thoughts does not increase the likelihood of suicide. Being afraid to inquire only perpetuates the idea that suicidal thoughts are disgraceful and should be kept hidden.
Because of the stigma surrounding suicide, it’s not given the weight of other public health crises. While millions of dollars are funneled into reducing the rates of heart disease, diabetes and other similarly lethal diseases, suicide and mental health are continuously and routinely neglected.
“It’s shameful. We would never tolerate that in other areas of public health and medicine,” said Dr. Thomas Insel, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
To make matters worse, the majority of resources allocated to mental health go toward pushing antidepressants, rather than high-quality and consistent treatment. Studies show a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants is more effective than antidepressants alone. However, psychotherapy is often excluded as it requires more time and resources.
A better understanding of the complexities surrounding suicide and suicidal tendencies is imperative in combating it. Associating suicide with weakness or selfishness is as dangerous as it is inaccurate. For some individuals dealing with severe mental illness, depression, anxiety or addiction, suicide appears to be the only way out.
“If you were in a room full of open doors, depression could convince you that there’s no way out,” the Rev. J.C. Austin said. “It drapes your world in deepening shadows until you can no longer see the possibilities that are obvious to everyone else.”
Ignoring America’s mental health problem because it’s an uncomfortable conversation is not an option. Addressing the issue head-on is a matter of life or death.
Be brave enough to ask.
Remember to check in with those close to you year-round, not just when news of another celebrity suicide surfaces. Do more than posting the Suicide Prevention Lifeline number on your social media. Listen to what those close to you have to say, and don’t ignore the warning signs. We can’t stop fighting until there are no more suicide statistics to report.

Hannah Kleinpeter is a 20-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.