Oregon’s suicide rate dropped in 2020, but is on track to rise this year
Oregon is one of seven states in the country to have fewer suicides in 2020 than the year before. But Oregon’s suicide rate remains among the highest in the United States, and the state’s suicide rate is on track to rise this year, health officials said Monday.
Oregon had the 13th highest suicide rate in the nation in 2020, up from the ninth highest rate in 2019. There were 906 suicides in Oregon in 2019, down from 833 in 2020.
The decline has been particularly large among people aged 24 and younger, for whom the suicide rate fell nearly 14% in 2020, the Oregon Health Authority said Monday.
While preliminary data for 2021 indicates a continuation of this downward trend in youth suicides, the suicide rate for all ages combined will likely rise, health officials said.
According to Steve Allen, director of behavioral health at the Oregon Health Authority, inequality is one of the main contributors to this increase in suicides.
“While we are encouraged by the downward trend in 2020 that shows our work with partners to address youth suicide is helping in some counties, we still have a long way to go to improve outcomes in all communities. of Oregon,” Allen said in a statement. “Racial and economic inequalities impact the overall health of many of our communities and we have a lot of work to do to alleviate this injustice.”
The youth suicide rate isn’t going down anywhere in Oregon. Lane County declared a public health emergency last week due to an increase in youth suicides since November, and is now providing schools and healthcare providers with additional resources and support, officials said. of health.
The Oregon Health Authority’s suicide prevention team has been meeting weekly since March 2020 to analyze data and plan suicide prevention efforts, officials said. Since 2020, the agency has launched a new suicide prevention hotline and tool to support faculty, developed a training program for mental health professionals working with suicidal children, and partnered with the Department of state education to support suicide prevention in schools.
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or someone you know is going through a mental health crisis, the following resources are available:
- Safe + Strong Helpline (1-800-923-4357) and Website: Launched at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Safe + Strong helpline is available all day, every day to support those dealing with the loss of loved ones and lifestyle changes. Resources are available in multiple languages on the Safe + Strong website
- 24/7 Suicide Prevention National Lifeline number: 1-800-273-8255
- 24/7 Spanish Lifeline: 1-888-628-9454
- 24/7 Crisis Text Line: text “OREGON” to 741741
- 24/7 Crisis Line for Veterans: 1-800-273-8255 and press “1” or text 838255
- Senior Solitude line: 503-200-1633 or visit their website
- YouthLine for teen crisis help. A phone line and an SMS helpline are offered through Lines for Life. Trained teenagers respond from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday. Adults are also available all day, every day. Call 1-877-968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 839863
— Catalina Gaitan
