Suicide Rates Continue To Confound Wyoming

Federal officials have spent decades trying new strategies to fight suicide in Western states.

Nothing has worked.

From 2001 through 2021 suicide rates increased most years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suicide rates in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming have doubled, overall.

There was even an uptick during COVID.

Mental health experts argue the policies need more funding.

Some argue that more studies need to be done into why people commit suicide.

But such studies can be difficult when many states and territories don’t allow medical records to be linked to death certificates,

Wyoming consistently ranks among the states with the highest suicide rates.

Kim Deti, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Health said in a recent interview.

The work is not stopping but some strategies that make sense in some geographic areas of the country may not make sense for a state with our characteristics. (PNS). 

Training to spot issues and help those in crisis mode is needed for family, church, and civic groups through any means necessary.

While government programs have failed there is hope through local community organizations, if they can receive the training necessary to spot problems and deal with them.

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.