Introduction
It is important to note that the selected issue of interest is the suicide rate rise in the United States. Suicide is an act performed by an individual where he or she intentionally causes his or her death. One of the most common reasons for suicide is suicidality, which is often linked to some form of mental health problem. Understanding the dynamics and intricacies of the issue is critical to identify the root causes as well as designing effective preventative measures.
Discussion
It is a compelling topic for me due to my personal experience of having a close friend who committed suicide. In addition, the interest is substantiated by the fact that it tends to be addressed insufficiently. I firmly believe that suicide rates are major indicators of overall societal well-being and health, which is why it is a serious public health concern. I already know that suicide is strongly linked to suicidality ideations as a result of a mental health problem. Depression is a prime example of a cofactor behind suicide since a person suffering from a given mental health illness is likely to commit suicide due to pain, suffering, and search for relief. I know these facts due to my friend’s unfortunate case of suicide, where I learned that he has been struggling with depression for a lengthy period. However, I am aware that it is not the only potential cause since suicide can be driven by bullying and other problems.
The main question I would like to have an answer to is what are the strong positive correlation factors accompanying suicide rates and why suicide is on the rise in the United States. The current answer to my question is mental health and its implications in the form of widespread distress beginning with economic and financial pressures as well as the lack of effective support measures. In addition, I suspect that suicide is partly linked to drug and medication abuse and physical health deterioration, such as obesity, poverty, political polarization, and geopolitical distress. I hold this position because these factors personally affect my mental well-being, and they create a form of anxiety in the back of my head. From various educational videos, such as TED Talks, I additionally learned that certain drugs over prescriptions and metabolic disorders could have a negative influence on a person’s mental health.
However, I recognize that the statements from the previous paragraph cannot be used as evidence, which is why I need to learn more about the actual and accurate statistical data on suicide and its interconnected factors. For example, one study states that “between 2000 and 2018, US suicide rates increased by 35%, contributing to the stagnation and subsequent decrease in US life expectancy” (Martínez-Alés et al. 99). 35% is a significantly high number when considered on a scale as large as the population of the US. Another study claims that “some individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds are at increased risk of suicide compared to their majority ethnic counterparts, whereas others are at decreased risk” (Troya et al. 101399). In other words, suicide might not be affecting all groups equally, which necessitates a further analysis of a specific set of factors related to minorities as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the topic of suicide is the core topic of interest for the issue proposal. It is a compelling issue due to a direct experience of losing a friend to a given problem. In addition, it is interesting and important to analyze since suicidality has been increasing in the US sharply. The audience for the assessment would include practically everyone since no person can be safe with mental health issues or losing someone close to suicide. Minority groups should be particularly interested since there is evidence that it impacts them the most.
Works Cited
Martínez-Alés, Gonzalo, et al. “The Recent Rise of Suicide Mortality in the United States.” Collections, vol. 43, 2022, pp. 99-116.
Troya, Isabela, et al. “Suicide Rates Amongst Individuals from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” eClinical Medicine, vol. 47, 2022, p. 101399.