US suicide deaths reached record high in 2022, CDC data shows

The number of people who died by suicide in the US hit an estimated record 49,000 in 2022, a 2.6 per cent increase over the prior year, government data showed on Thursday, reports BBC.

Over half of all US suicides in 2022 involved firearms, according to the figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Nine in 10 Americans believe America is facing a mental health crisis. The new suicide death data reported by CDC illustrates why," US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

He added that many people still believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

The suicide rate in 2022 - 14.9 deaths for every 100,000 people - is 5 per cent higher than the previous record high of 14.2 deaths for every 100,000 people from 2018.