The News Isn’t Good: The (Not So) Surprising US Numbers and What We Can Do About Them?

I read a recent report announcing that the suicide rate in the US reached an all-time high last year. I don’t know the Canadian numbers, but any way you slice it, this is a sad reality.

Almost every age group saw an increase with a variety of reasons being offered as to why…including access to firearms, increases in reports of depression and limited mental health resources.

All of that can be discussed and argued one way or another, but regardless, the numbers are very concerning.

But I want to suggest, that these numbers are not surprising. In fact, I would go as far as to say, these numbers could have been expected, even anticipated given what we’ve come through over the past few years.

I don’t want to make political statements, but then again, it’s almost impossible to avoid a political angle to much of what we talk about today.

Hear me out…if you and I see messages on a regular basis that are negative, pessimistic and suggest the most tragic outcomes, then the logical outcome would be a sense of despair and loss of hope.

Of course there are significant challenges in our day, but also I believe we are living in the best time to be alive in all of human history. Almost any metric you want to look at would suggest this as well.

But if you listen to media outlets and politicians, you might come to a different conclusion. According to them, we should live in fear and dread about almost everything.

On top of this, throw in years of COVID lock downs, extreme restrictions, personal & business losses, government overreach, and failed policies and the result is challenging times for many.

The response to COVID plus all the negative messages we hear every day from our “leaders” has lead to an increase in isolation, fear, lack of productivity and loss of meaning… a recipe for despair, which for many leads to a tragic end.

The recommended solutions I read to address the rise in tragic deaths and reports of depression, anxiety and despair, seem to address the symptoms rather than the root causes.

So what is truly behind these numbers?

Lack of community and loss of meaning.

(Two of the three things we all need  according to Viktor Frankl: I wrote about here)

The very things that have been stripped away over the past few years are the things we need the most.

So what can you and I do? Here are some suggestions…

1. Make relationships a priority. I believe you and I were created to enjoy community in the context of healthy relationships. Now, I’m not so naive to believe this is easy or simple, but it is important. I’m an introvert who enjoys being alone, but I need meaningful connections as much as anyone else does.
2. Look for opportunities to encourage someone. One of the reasons we opened Em’s Cafe in 2015 was to create a space where we could connect with people and build relationships. It’s one of the reasons I still visit the cafe even though we’ve sold it. In fact I’m writing this blog from there. Now you don’t have to start a business to make meaningful connections with people but you have to look for the opportunities to do it. They are often unexpected and without warning so be on the lookout for them.
3. Go beyond the superficial.  Our daily lives can become so distracted by things that really don’t matter. Scrolling through social media to no end, binge watching Netflix, or the news. These in moderation may be okay, but there’s more to life than these for sure.
4. Avoid the news. I know I just said moderation, but when it comes to news (of any slant) I prefer to avoid it altogether. Media try to get your attention by highlighting the extreme, bizarre and worst of society. But I don’t think they represent most of society…not to mention, they no longer just report the news, they interpret it from their own biases. So moderation, or better, just do something else with your time.
5. Discover your contribution. I believe you and I are created by God in part, to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Whether one or two, or a million, you have something…some ability, talent or strength that when understood, can help another person. And this is a source of true meaning…scrolling social media will never provide this.

I just released a book called, Vantage Point: Five Perspectives to Live a Better Story, and if it helps one person or a million, I’m hoping it will help the reader discover who they are and why they are here. I hope you know that for yourself, but if you’re struggling to get the clarity you need, then check it out.

Feeling stuck? Not sure what to do next? Your life not where you want it to be? Life coaching can help. Contact me for a free  45-minute discovery call. Let’s talk.