About one million people (in US) attempt suicide a year and cost the nation $500 billion. How is this cost calculated and why is this figure so high ($500,000) for each attempt?
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The simplest way to picture how these are calculated is “What would happen if my partner/family member was to unsuccessfully commit suicide”. First of all there would likely be medical intervention required of some kind – lets take OD which is fairly common. Usually we are talking an ambulance ride, several days in hospital and (hopefully) an extended rehab program and counselling. These are direct costs. Indirect costs include the (cumulatively) several weeks off work, even dozens, taken by the people around this person. Parents, siblings, partners and older children are all likely to be significantly impacted and may require counselling services too. The person who made the attempt may take months before they can work again. This is all lost productivity.
These big numbers try to rate the economic impact of the event, its more than just the police/medical helps.
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