Honestly, the internet is a wild place after a major political shift. Back in November 2024, right after the votes were tallied, a specific number started flying around social media: 2,038. That was the claim—that over two thousand people had taken their own lives in a single day because of the election results. It showed up on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, often citing the World Health Organization (WHO) as the source.
But here’s the thing: it wasn't true.
The WHO doesn't even have a "daily suicide tracker." When experts and fact-checkers at PolitiFact reached out to them, the organization confirmed the claim was baseless. But the reason that number felt "real" to so many people is that the emotional weight of the 2024 election was objectively heavy. While the 2,038 figure was a fabrication, the mental health crisis in the U.S. is very much a factual reality. Understanding how many suicidal deaths since the election have actually occurred requires looking at provisional data from the CDC and the surge in crisis calls, rather than viral memes.
What the Data Actually Says
If you're looking for an exact, real-time count of suicides that happened between Election Day and today, you're going to hit a wall. That’s because death records take a long time to process. Medical examiners have to file reports, toxicology results can take weeks, and the CDC has to verify everything.
As of early 2026, we are looking at provisional data for 2024 and 2025. Interestingly, the CDC reported that the overall U.S. suicide rate actually dipped slightly in 2024. There were about 48,800 reported suicides that year, which is roughly 500 fewer than in 2023. The rate fell to 13.7 per 100,000 people.
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Now, wait. How does that square with the feeling that everyone was spiraling?
Well, a slight national dip doesn't mean certain groups weren't hurting more. While the numbers for people in their late 20s and early 30s went down significantly, other demographics stayed stubbornly flat. And then there's the "Trump Effect" or "Election Stress" factor. Historically, researchers like those at the NIH have actually found that presidential elections can sometimes lower suicide rates temporarily because of a sense of "social integration"—basically, everyone is focused on a shared national event. But that was a different era. Today, the polarization is so intense that the "unifying" effect of an election has mostly been replaced by what psychologists call "sociopolitical stress."
The Surge in Crisis Calls
While the death count isn't tracked daily, crisis hotlines do track their volume in real-time. This is where we see the real impact.
The Trevor Project, which focuses on LGBTQ+ youth, reported a staggering 700% increase in crisis contacts on November 6, 2024. Let that sink in. Seven hundred percent. By the time Inauguration Day rolled around in January 2025, they saw another 33% spike.
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- November 6, 2024: 700% increase in volume.
- Election-related topics: Up 5,200% in conversations.
- Crisis Text Line: Reported a 33% increase in anxiety-related texts on Election Day.
It’s not just "drama." It’s a visceral reaction to perceived threats to rights and safety. For many, the election wasn't just a political loss; it felt like a personal rejection.
Why We Get the Numbers Wrong
Kinda makes you wonder why people make up numbers like "2,038," right? Usually, it's to grab attention or validate their own fear. But spreading fake death counts is actually dangerous. It can create a "contagion effect" where vulnerable people feel like suicide is a common or expected response to political bad news.
The real numbers are actually more nuanced. In early 2025, specific clusters were reported—like in five counties in Michigan where seven suicides happened in a very short window. Local health surveys there showed sharp increases in depression and substance use. But these are localized "hotspots," not a national wave of thousands in a single day.
The Factors Driving the Crisis
The election might be the "trigger," but it’s rarely the only cause. Experts like Katherine Keyes from Columbia University point out that suicide is incredibly complicated. You've got:
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- Access to care: Or the lack of it. In many rural areas, there simply aren't enough therapists.
- Firearms: About 55% of all suicide deaths in the U.S. involve a gun.
- Policy changes: The removal of specialized support for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 lifeline in 2024 caused significant alarm among mental health advocates.
- Economic stress: The CDC found that counties with lower health insurance coverage and lower household income have much higher suicide rates.
How to Actually Help
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the political climate, or if you're worried about someone who is, the "next steps" aren't just about waiting for the next election. It’s about building a "protective bubble" around your mental health.
Basically, you’ve gotta limit the doomscrolling. A LifeStance survey found that 72% of Americans say social media and news coverage are their primary sources of election-related anxiety. If the news makes you want to give up, turn it off. It sounds simple, but it’s the most effective immediate intervention.
Also, check on your "at-risk" friends. Statistics show that Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native populations, as well as White males in rural areas, have the highest rates. Middle-aged adults (35–54) are also in a high-risk bracket that often gets ignored in favor of talking about "Gen Z anxiety."
Actionable Steps for Today
- Establish a "No-Politics" Zone: Designate specific times or spaces where political talk is banned. Your brain needs a break from the "fight or flight" mode.
- Use the 988 Lifeline: It’s not just for when you're "at the edge." It’s for when you're overwhelmed and need to talk to a human who isn't going to argue with you.
- Connect Locally: Political stress thrives on global problems. Volunteering at a local food bank or animal shelter brings your focus back to things you can actually control.
- Verify Before You Share: Before posting a statistic about deaths or "surges," check the CDC WONDER database or a reputable news source. Spreading misinformation increases the collective panic.
The reality of how many suicidal deaths since the election have occurred is that the number is likely consistent with the high baseline we've seen over the last decade—somewhere between 48,000 and 50,000 per year. Every single one is a tragedy. But we don't need to invent thousands of extra deaths to justify the fact that many people are struggling. The struggle is real enough on its own.
Focus on the people you can reach. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada, or contact your local emergency services. There is always someone ready to listen, regardless of who you voted for.
Next Steps for Support:
If you want to help your community, consider taking a Mental Health First Aid course. These programs teach you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. You can find local classes through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Additionally, supporting organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) helps fund the research needed to turn these "provisional" numbers into actual prevention strategies.