Nation Takes Notice of Wyoming County’s Suicide Rate

Some national media outlets have taken notice and are genuinely confused about where the highest suicide rate, per capita, is.

You expect major overdose deaths in places with high populations that sit at major international crossroads — Los Angeles, New York, various Texas border cities.

But in Wyoming? Middle-of-nowhere Wyoming? (NTB).

I would complain that they called Wyoming, "Middle-of-nowhere Wyoming." But that's not wrong.

The Natrona County coroner says 2024 is shaping up to be a 'crazy year' with suicides through the first four months of the year shattering records.

Coroner Jim Whipps spoke with Narona County commissioners about this disturbing problem.

'This has been a different kind of year,' he said. 'It kind of started last fall, but the case count is going way up on unnatural deaths.'

Suicide is just one part of the problem.

"Illicit drugs" are spiking "through the roof," according to the coroner.

“So far this year we are sitting on 12 in four months,” Whipps said of Natrona County suicides.

“If you extrapolate that out, that is like 36 to 40 suicides that I can expect this year.

Our record setter for this county was a couple years ago at 32 or 33.”

These problems have left the corner offices with another problem.

Unclaimed bodies.

In the last month and a half the office has been left with 30 bodies that have gone unclaimed.

According to the Wyoming Department of Health, the state's suicide rate remains a prevalent issue in Wyoming, resulting in preventable deaths that deeply impact individuals, families, and communities across the state.

In comparison to the national rate of 14 per 100,000, the Wyoming suicide rate of 31.1 per 100,000 consistently surpasses the average. These alarming statistics emphasize the urgent need for intervention and support. Wyoming Department of Health is committed to addressing this pressing matter and working towards creating a healthier and safer environment for all individuals in the state.