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Last updated on Sunday, June 10, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana’s suicide rate increased more than 30 percent from 1999 to 2016, according to a recent federal report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say suicide, drug overdoses and Alzheimer's disease are three causes of death on the rise, The Indianapolis Star reported. The CDC report on suicide rates appears in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released Friday.
CDC officials said suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Nearly 45,000 people died by suicide nationwide in 2016, the report found. A significant number of people who died by suicide didn't have a known mental health condition, the study said.
"These findings are disturbing. Suicide is a public health problem that can be prevented," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC principal deputy director, in a telephone press briefing about the study.
The study's findings suggest more must be done to prevent suicide and work should extend beyond those diagnosed with a mental illness, Schuchat said.
Numerous factors seem to increase the risk of suicide, such as relationship problems, substance misuse, physical health challenges, financial issues or legal problems, the report found.
Suicide rate increases ranged from just under 6 percent in Delaware to over 57 percent in North Dakota, the report said. According to the report, 24 other states saw increases of more than 30 percent from 1999 to 2016.
Nevada was the only state that didn't see an increase in its suicide rate during the study period, though the state has had a consistently high rate of suicide, the report found.
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