The 8th Leading Cause of Death in Minnesota is 100% Preventable
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Department of Health issued a new report today highlighting the alarming increase in suicides across the state and throughout the country.
The latest data shows the number of suicides in Minnesota jumped 5-percent last year, resulting in 783 deaths. Since 1999, the state's suicide rate has risen over 50-percent to 13.8 per 100,000 residents. While the national suicide rate remains higher than the state rate at 14 per 100,000 people, the national rate has risen by a significantly lower 33-percent over the same 18 years.
The data also shows men are four times more likely to take their own lives than women and the suicide rate among Minnesota woman actually decreased by 10-percent last year. The rate among men was up nine percent.
Among different races, American Indians in Minnesota have the highest suicide rate at over 23 per 100,000, followed by white Minnesotans at 13.4 per 100,000. The rate among black Minnesotans was the lowest and actually dropped slightly last year to 6.7 per 100,000.
The report also shows the use of firearms continues to be the leading mechanism of suicide deaths, accounting for nearly half of all completed suicides. The data also shows the firearm suicide rate rose 11-percent last year.
In Olmsted County, there were 11 suicides reported last year after spiking at 20 in 2016. The county’s suicide rate is among the lowest among Minnesota counties at 9.6 per 100,000 residents.
State officials stress all suicides are preventable and urge anyone facing a mental health crisis to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-TALK (8255) or text MN to 741741.