Firearm-related suicides, homicides continued to rise in 2021, CDC finds
October 07, 2022
Homicides and suicides involving guns, which soared in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, continued rising in 2021, reaching the highest rates in three decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday (Source: “Gun-Related Suicides and Killings Continued to Rise in 2021, C.D.C. Reports,” New York Times, Oct. 6).
The increases in homicides were particularly stark among Black and Hispanic men, while suicides involving firearms rose among all adults.
Firearms caused 47,286 homicide and suicide deaths in 2021, up from 43,675 in 2020, according to the CDC’s research, which is based on provisional data. Rates of gun-related homicide and suicide each rose by 8.3% last year.
Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. If you don’t like talking on the phone, consider using the Crisis Text Line at www.crisistextline.org or text “4HOPE” to 741-741.