October 21st, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Older Americans have the highest rates of suicide of any age group in the nation. New data shows West Virginians among the top ten states for suicides among adults over 70, with 687 deaths between 2009 and 2023.  Suicide numbers among older adults have almost doubled in the past 20 years, in part because the population overall is aging, explains Aaron Mendelson with The Trace and Gun Violence Death Hub…

   

“Older Americans are also more likely to use a firearm in a suicide attempt, and that, of course, is by far the most lethal means of dying by suicide.”