Task force including Mormon leader, Utah Jazz owner and LGBT rights leader to address teen suicides

Gov. Gary Herbert is creating a task force that includes a high-ranking Mormon leader, the Utah Jazz owner and the leader of an LGBT rights group to address a troubling increase in teen suicides in Utah.

Herbert unveiled the coalition Wednesday and called on the members to coordinate with suicide prevention groups to create a list of recommendations to give to him by Feb. 15.

The new coalition is the latest attempt by officials to find out why so many teens are killing themselves and to come up with ways to prevent the suicides.

The rate of suicides among youth 10-17 more than doubled from 2011-2015.

The group includes Ronald A. Rasband, a member a top governing body of the Mormon church. Jazz owner Gail Miller and Equality Utah executive director Troy Williams are also members.