The New York Times examines the issue:
Just why thousands of men and women have crossed the line between
enduring life's burdens and surrendering to them is a painful question
for their loved ones. But for officials, it is a surprising and
baffling public health mystery.
A new five-year analysis of the nation's death rates recently released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
found that the suicide rate among 45-to-54-year-olds increased nearly
20 percent from 1999 to 2004, the latest year studied, far outpacing
changes in nearly every other age group. (All figures are adjusted for
population.)
For women 45 to 54, the rate leapt 31
percent. "That is certainly a break from trends of the past," said Ann
Haas, the research director of the American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention.
By contrast, the suicide rate for 15-to-19-year-olds
increased less than 2 percent during that five-year period -- and
decreased among people 65 and older.
The question is why. What happened in 1999 that caused the suicide rate to suddenly rise primarily for those in midlife?
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Trouble...
