HJNO Sep/Oct 2021

50 SEP / OCT 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS COLUMN MENTAL HEALTH A DECLINE in the U.S. adult suicide rate seems inconsistent with what we would expect, but recently the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (CDC) report- ed that the suicide rate forAmerican adults declined nearly 6% in 2020, the sharpest drop in 4 decades. This comes as a relief at a time when many known risk factors for suicide are elevated due to the pandem- ic. In 2019, suicide was listed as the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. with 47,500 lives lost, so although a rate decline is welcome, it’s important to keep in mind that suicide remains a significant problem. The cause of a suicide is multifactorial with factors working together over time. It is associated with several risk and pro- tective factors. Protective factors decrease the impact of risk factors and include ef- of infection builds. Theories as to why the decline in adult suicides occurred include a belief that people tend to support each other during a crisis; there is more community cohe- sion and a sense of belonging. We’ve seen more openness about personal feelings and more people seeking mental health services. There is easier access to men- tal health services via telemedicine and teletherapy that can diminish the risk for a suicide. It’s also suggested that while quarantining, people have had time to re- flect on what is important in one’s life with gratitude. Experts say the CDC data is preliminary and can change. While the pandemic is still going on, there’s no guarantee that this decline will persist, given that we do not Be That ONE Significant Person fective problem solving and coping skills, religious beliefs, strong and supportive relationships, feelings of connectedness and access to physical and mental health- care. Risk factors include a history of de- pression or other mental illness, prior attempts, hopelessness, substance abuse, victimization and isolation. The pandemic has had a far-reaching negative impact on our mental health with an increase in anxiety, depression and substance use diagnoses along with an in- crease in violent crime, domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, and finan- cial strain. Additional factors, including a rise in gun sales, provide an increased means for a fatal suicide attempt. The stress of the pandemic is not going away as dread and anxiety related to a new wave