By the Numbers - Nov. 16, 2015
$58.4 billion
"The national cost of suicides and suicide attempts in the United States in 2013," according to a new article in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior -- Suicide and Suicidal Attempts in the United States: Cost and Policy Implications.
But, the authors maintain, if "under-reporting" is taken into consideration, the actual cost would be $93.5 billion ($298 per capita). "Lost productivity" comprises the bulk of these costs (97.1%).
According to the authors:
Previous research suggests that improved continuity of care would likely reduce the number of subsequent suicidal attempts following a previous nonfatal attempt. We estimate a highly favorable benefit–cost ratio of 6 to 1 for investments in additional medical, counseling, and linkage services for such patients.
$58.4 billion
"The national cost of suicides and suicide attempts in the United States in 2013," according to a new article in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior -- Suicide and Suicidal Attempts in the United States: Cost and Policy Implications.
But, the authors maintain, if "under-reporting" is taken into consideration, the actual cost would be $93.5 billion ($298 per capita). "Lost productivity" comprises the bulk of these costs (97.1%).
According to the authors:
Previous research suggests that improved continuity of care would likely reduce the number of subsequent suicidal attempts following a previous nonfatal attempt. We estimate a highly favorable benefit–cost ratio of 6 to 1 for investments in additional medical, counseling, and linkage services for such patients.