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The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor
Suicide Rates Are Rising, But Nobody Really Knows Why
Suicide rates appear to be at all-time highs, with the latest research suggesting rates are one-third higher than they were in 1999.
Among people ages 16 through 64, the rate of suicide climbed from about 10 per 100,000 to 14 per 100,000 people. That’s a significant increase during a period of time where, by all outward measures, stigma about mental health issues and depression has been significantly decreasing. More than ever, it is safe and people are encouraged to talk about — and seek help for — a mental health concern.
So why this significant rise in the suicide rate?
Thoughts of suicide are usually a serious, often un-diagnosed symptom of clinical depression. For some, these thoughts turn into devising a plan and even making an attempt. People who die by suicide are usually suffering from depression and aren’t getting adequate — or in some cases, any — treatment for it. People who have been unsuccessful in dying by suicide say they usually immediately regretted having tried, because it really is a permanent solution to a transient emotional state.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, 54% of Americans who died by suicide had no known mental disorder diagnosis. It could be that the person simply never saw a healthcare or mental health professional in order to be diagnosed. It could also be indicative that not all suicidal thoughts occur in the context of a mental illness.
Experts are hard-pressed for scientific data that could explain the rise. Instead, we have to turn to hypotheses and correlations. But these are really nothing more than educated guesses.
The latest data come from the CDC in a study released earlier this month. It built upon data from a similar CDC report released last year that showed rates for suicide had climbed 25% from 1999 to 2016.
In response to that study released last year, the BBC had this to say, suggesting that perhaps the lack of access to timely, adequate mental health care might explain some of the rise:
Prof Julie Cerel, president of the American Association of Suicidology, noted that having better reporting standards could account for some of the increase, but also pointed to a lack of adequate funding for mental health research and preventative care.
“Our mental health systems are just really struggling across the country,” Prof Cerel says. “In terms of training mental health professionals, we’re not doing a great job.”
As of 2018, only 10 states mandate suicide prevention training for health professionals.
Others have suggested that perhaps it’s also due to the economic downturn which began in 2008 and lasted through most of 2016. If true, however, such an explanation doesn’t really help us understand the rise in suicide rates during the period before the economic downturn.
A study in early 2019 of over 85,000 youths found an even more disturbing trend. Those researchers found that from 2007 through 2016, the increase in the rate of suicide for girls ages 10 to 14 was highest, rising by nearly 13% since 2007. The rate also rose for boys, but only by 7%.
The researchers concluded:
Following a downward trend in suicide rates for both sexes in the early 1990s, increasing rates of youth suicide since 2007 have been associated with an accelerated narrowing of the gap between male and female rates, with the largest percentage increase in younger female individuals. These trends were observed across all regions in the United States.
Tween and teenage girls are especially at risk. And this, to me, tells us something important.
Why Are Suicide Rates Going Up?
In this era of being able to talk far more freely about mental health issues than ever before in the history of humanity, it’s unimaginable that this openness hasn’t translated into more people seeking help for suicidal thoughts.
If I’d have to guess — since that seems all that we’re capable of doing right now — I’d say it was a combination of factors that has led to this increase. One factor is that while stigma has reduced around mental health issues, access to adequate mental health care has arguably actually declined since 1999. Despite laws trying to protect people’s access to such care, I believe the declining population of psychiatrists and others interested in going into the mental health profession has contributed to significant challenges in most parts of the country in actually obtaining care and services.
Second, the specific increase in young girls attempting suicide is concerning. Young girls are particularly vulnerable to social pressures during this age period (10 to 14 years old), as they are developing their own sense of self, worth, and self-identity. Combined with an increased use of social media compared to boys, technology may actually be playing a more harmful role in their lives than anyone has yet realized.
Third, political divisions in our country have never been more rancorous or stronger. Combined with a weak economy during much of this time period, we may not yet be seeing the positive effects of a recovering economy fully playing themselves out in families. The opioid epidemic may also be partially to blame for this increase in rates, since it was in full swing when data in 2016 and 2017 were collected.
In short, I wouldn’t be surprised that there is a complex multitude of factors that contribute to this increased rate of suicide among Americans. We can hope that many of these factors — such as the reduction of the opioid epidemic, a recovering economy, and efforts to increase recruitment of new mental health professionals — are heading in the right direction and may impact future suicide rates.
At least we can hope.
Suicidal? If you’re thinking of suicide, please call toll-free the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 any time, day or night. Afraid that someone you know may be contemplating suicide? Talk to them — talking about it doesn’t increase the risk of it occurring.
References
National Center for Health Statistics. (2019). Suicide Rates for Females and Males by Race and Ethnicity: United States, 1999 and 2017.
Ruch DA, Sheftall AH, Schlagbaum P, Rausch J, Campo JV, Bridge JA. Trends in Suicide Among Youth Aged 10 to 19 Years in the United States, 1975 to 2016. JAMA Netw Open. Published online May 17, 20192(5):e193886. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.3886
Image: BBC
19 Keto Ground Beef Recipes
A special thanks to Courtney Hamilton at Paleohacks.com for today’s keto recipe roundup.
There are so many comfort foods that use ground beef in a starring role. Think meatloaf, meatballs, cheeseburgers, chili—you get the gist. It may feel too indulgent to keep on your keto diet but rejoice! Ground beef is an easy protein to use in low-carb recipes, especially those of the comfort food variety. On this list, you’ll find hearty fare like keto meatloaf with a tomato-y topping (without the sugar found in standard ketchup), a variety of low-carb chili options for any night of the week, and even innovations on carb-laden classics, like cheeseburgers and tacos. If you crave lighter options, try the crunchy romaine salad with taco toppings or veggie-filled Thai beef bowls served atop cauliflower rice.
It’s worth mentioning that grass-fed, organic ground beef will offer you the best nutritional bang for your buck, as well as ensure you’re enjoying ethically and humanely-sourced meat. It’s better for the environment, and affordable to boot. It’s a win-win all around.
#1 Cook Eat Paleo | Easy Keto Meatloaf
Meatloaf often contains sugar hidden in the ketchup, but this keto version uses fresh salsa instead.
#2 Tasteaholics | Meatballs in Coconut Broth
Beefy meatballs simmer in a rich lemongrass coconut broth for a Thai-inspired dinner.
#3 Wholesome Yum | Keto Low Carb Chili
Skip the beans with this keto and low-carb chili. You can make it in either your slow cooker or Instant Pot!
#4 I Breathe I’m Hungry | 10-Minute No-Chop Low Carb Chili
If you want all of the flavor of chili without any of the time, this 10-minute recipe is for you.
#5 The Healthy Foodie | Keto Ground Beef and Spinach Skillet
Get a super dose of iron in this one-pan recipe, thanks to the spinach, capers, and, of course, the beef.
#6 Low Carb Yum | Low Carb Korean Ground Beef
You can swap out the molasses in this Asian-inspired recipe to keep it 100 percent keto-compliant. It’ll still be sweet, savory, and spicy!
#7 Keto Summit | Keto Hamburger Soup
When cooler weather strikes, this hamburger soup warms the soul, sans carbs.
#8 PaleoHacks | Keto Tex Mex Casserole
Load up on keto-friendly, spicy deliciousness with this creamy avocado-topped casserole.
#9 Real Simple Good | Easy Curry Beef Bowls
Channel Indian flavors with these ground beef curry bowls, packed with curry powder, ginger, and garlic.
#10 Ketogasm | Low Carb Keto Breakfast Burrito Bowl
Enjoy ground beef for breakfast with this hearty, low-carb breakfast burrito bowl loaded with cauliflower rice, cilantro, and scrambled eggs.
#11 Tastes Lovely | Keto Ground Beef Taco Meat
You don’t have to give up your beloved tacos on a keto diet! You can use this taco-spiced meat to stuff into keto-friendly wraps or tortillas.
#12 Thyme and Joy | Paleo Hamburger Skillet with Thousand Island Dressing
This tangy beef skillet is topped with red onions, avocado, lettuce, dill pickles, and a homemade keto Thousand Island dressing. It’s like a burger without the bun!
#13 Tastes Lovely | Whole30® Ground Beef Burrito Bowl
Burrito bowls are a great way to enjoy ground beef on a keto diet. Load yours up with fatty avocado or guacamole to fuel ketosis!
#14 Paleo Running Momma | Instant Pot Paleo Beef Chili with Bacon
It’s a proven fact that bacon makes everything better, and this beef chili with peppers, onion, and garlic is no exception.
#15 Tasty Yummies | Grain-Free Thai Beef Bowls
We recommend topping these Thai-inspired ground beef bowls with carrot ribbons, cucumber slices, red chiles, and fresh lime juice for best results.
#16 40 Aprons | Instant Pot Beef with Peppers
If you’ve got 10 minutes, you’ve got time for this quick Instant Pot beef with peppers—the perfect keto weeknight meal!
#17 Beauty and the Foodie | Easy Hamburger Pie
It’s everything you love about a hamburger, baked into a crustless pie!
#18 Savory Tooth | Beef Picadillo
Think of picadillo as a Cuban type of chili with lots of briny green olives. Serve with cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
#19 Primavera Kitchen | Ground Beef Taco Salad
This bright and hearty salad boasts plenty of fresh ingredients, like spicy salsa, creamy avocado, and crunchy romaine.
Thanks again to Courtney Hamilton from Paleohacks.com. Interested in seeing a certain recipe or roundup of a certain category—Primal or Primal-keto? Let us know below!
The post 19 Keto Ground Beef Recipes appeared first on Mark's Daily Apple.
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