Suicide Prevention is Political
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for people aged 10-34 in the U.S. In 2023, almost 50,000 people successfully committed suicide in the U.S with over 1.5 million known attempts. Yet, the federal government’s investment in suicide prevention remains insufficient. Policies and legislation restrict who has access to necessary mental health resources and who is neglected. Accessibility of sustainable mental care, social services, economic security, and safe communities are just some of the many aspects of suicide prevention determined by political decisions. This tragic reality attests to the need for more adequate funding and attention; prevention is political because every system failure contributes to deaths.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s funds were capped at a mere five grants of $400,000 in 2023. $2 million for the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is not substantial enough for how large a problem this is. Government subsidies for mental health services affect suicide rates directly and funding continues to be an ongoing issue.
Still, political decisions in prevention extend far beyond budgeting. Regressive policies aimed at vulnerable populations increase suicide risk factors, too. Access to mental health treatment in the United States is sporadic, with most areas having unfunded or inaccessible programs. There are approximately 3.4 psychiatrists per 100,000 people in rural areas, whereas New York has 37 per 100,000. Additionally, 60% of counties in the US have no psychiatrist at all. These vast disparities are the result of policies that only benefit some geographic areas in the United States.
Generally, mental health services are in short supply or inaccessible in most places. Policies around health insurance and funding for crisis intervention programs affect whether someone can get help or not. A person in a wealthy neighborhood with comprehensive coverage is far more likely to receive effective care than someone in a low-income community. Marginalized communities whether by race, gender, sexuality, or disability, face even more hardship when it comes to finding adequate support. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric are linked to heightened suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth. According to a 2024 survey conducted by The Trevor Project, nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered taking their lives in the last year. Suicide prevention requires challenging such systematic imbalances.
States also play an important role. California recently passed an executive order to support mental health for men. This contrasts with other states, where political leaders have de-prioritized mental health funding or cut back on access to supportive services. In states where political leaders do not prioritize mental health services, there are higher suicide rates. Political leadership shapes the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts.
Across all states, gun policies directly influence suicide rates. Suicide by gun takes the lives of around 25,000 people in the US each year. In 2023, firearms accounted for 55.36% of all suicide deaths. The accessibility of firearms significantly increases the risk of suicide for all groups, but especially younger groups. Policy reform on these issues is necessary. There needs to be stricter gun controls and access to improved mental health resources in schools to reduce these issues. Legislation for the implementation of universal background checks, waiting periods, red flag laws, and mandates for gun safety training would significantly limit the access of youth to firearms.
Initiatives like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline have already saved thousands of lives, with more than 5 million crisis contacts in the first year alone. However, under Trump’s 2025 administration, suicide prevention initiatives like 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services were cut. Further exacerbating an already insufficient system.
Suicide affects families, communities, and the entire nation. Political paralysis kills people. Every law, every budget choice, and every structural gap matters. When the government underfunds mental health care, cuts Medicaid, and refuses progressive policy, people die. Laws that restrict access to gender-affirming care and reproductive health care increase suicide risk. Hateful rhetoric and state sanctioned violence against Black Americans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ worsens the risk of suicide. The lack of government initiative is deadly. But we are not powerless. The change can start locally: organize in your community to demand mental health program funding from your state reps and city council. Gen-Z can volunteer with crisis hotlines and, for those old enough, vote for candidates who prioritize public health and equity. Suicide prevention is political. Every call, every email, every protest, every vote, and every policy matters.