Idaho Sees Spike In Suicides

Over the last decade, Idaho has seen a steady increase of suicides.

In the past few years, Idaho has gone from having the 11th-highest suicide rate in the country to the sixth.

In Idaho, someone takes their own life every 25 hours, according to a report from the state Council on Suicide Prevention.

For males between 10-14 years old in Idaho, suicide is the second-most common cause of death.

“Which means we need to look at our culture and ask what’s driving our young people, and especially our young men, to kill themselves at such high rates,? Idaho State University lecturer David Wold said.

A slow job market and tough economy don’t help the situation.

“When people are losing their jobs, having their houses foreclosed on and when they’re having marital problems or family problems because of these issues, people tend to self-isolate,? Wold said.

Idaho spends some of the lowest amount of money in the nation towards mental health care.

“In troubled times, people do get depressed and they need more mental health care. We just don’t have the means to pay for it,? Wold said.

Pocatello police said people need to be ready to recognize warning signs.

“A lot of people that contemplate suicide probably do reach out for some type of help, but sometimes we’re not the ones that recognize that they’re looking for help,? Pocatello police Lt. Paul Manning said.

Perhaps the biggest impact locals can have is by trying to connect those who are isolated.

“Any individual can reach out across boundary lines and across those things we use to separate ourselves,? Wold said.

Anyone who needs help can call the national suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Idaho has recently released a new suicide prevention plan for the state. It can be found at www.spanidaho.org