The suicide rate among Americans, which has risen steadily over the past 18 years, has reached its highest point since 1941, preliminary data for 2022 shows.

The suicide rate per 100,000 people in 2022 was 14.3, according to a report from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention released early Wednesday. The rate was 15 in 1941.

An estimated 49,449 people died by suicide in 2022, the CDC said. That's an increase of 2.6% over the 48,183 suicide deaths in 2021.

The 2022 numbers are provisional, which means they could increase as pending cases of death are classified as suicide, the CDC said.

How has the suicide rate changed?

The rate for males was 22.8 and 5.7 for females in 2021.

The number of suicides for males in 2022 was 2% higher than the 38,358 deaths in 2021. For females, the 2022 number rose 4% from 9,825 deaths in 2021.

The CDC report used data from more than 99% of all 2022 death records analyzed by the National Center for Health Statistics as of Aug. 6. Comparisons were made with final 2021 data.

If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.

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SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Associated Press