I'd take that bet, even though it's not a reasonable comparison.
COVID-19 deaths are over and above expected deaths, which is why "excess deaths" is much higher so far this year, and the spikes and dips in excess deaths match COVID-19 spikes and dips pretty well.
I'm not even sure whether overall suicide deaths in 2020 will be higher than suicide deaths in 2019, let alone 150k higher and counting. Even the link you provide relies primarily on one person's assertion about high schoolers at a given point in time, without supporting information. Yes, many high schoolers commit suicide. Not enough, I think, to exceed COVID-19 deaths in 2020. Not even close.
Suicide is normally then 10th-highest cause of death in the US[0]. Currently in Texas, where I live, COVID-19 is 3rd, behind only heart disease and cancers[1], and it seems like it will be easily in the top 5 nationwide.
How many of these suicides are due to economic despair? The economy is not coming back until we get Covid under control. The fact that we just ignore this is mind boggling to me. Most western nations have this under control now, its just us looking for every reason under the sun to essentially say "Its too hard, we give up, now die for the dow."
"Where Redfield obtained his data is unknown, although a doctor at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, CA claimed the facility has “seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.” He did not say how many deaths occurred, or whether the statement was exaggerated for emphasis."
I am willing to have the debate but only with real numbers, this article from a biased news site is not that.
