US suicides were down nearly 6% last year, according to preliminary data, despite concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to an increase in deaths.
The rate of decline in national suicides is the largest in at least four decades, although the number may change as death certificates are not yet outstanding.
The preliminary figures were released in a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says suicides fell below 45,000 last year.
The suicide rate had risen steadily from the early 2000s, peaking in 2018 at its highest level since 1941.
Suicide rates have fallen in 2019, and for now the downward trend appears to have continued into 2020.
This comes in the midst of the pandemic where studies have shown Americans reported increased anxiety, drug use and depression.
Gun sales were also up 85% at the start of the March 2020 pandemic.
A medical expert suggested the decline could be related to a phenomenon occurring in the early stages of wars and national disasters.
“There is a heroic phase in every disaster period, where we unite and express a lot of support for being together in this,” says Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“You saw that, at least in the first months of the pandemic.”
With pole wires