Suicide attempts, ideation spiked significantly among older U.S. adults after COVID-19 pandemic. Research found suicidal ideation increased 42.6%, suicide planning by 256.2% and suicide attempts by 263.3%

A study by UCLA Health and UC San Diego found that after the COVID-19 pandemic, suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among U.S. adults over 50 rose 42.6%, 256.2%, and 263.3%, respectively. Published by Yang et al. in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the analysis drew on NSDUH survey data from 2021–2024 covering roughly 42,500 adults aged 50 and older, with increases concentrated among those without traditional risk factors such as depression or alcohol use.