Suicide Rates are on the Rise In Arizona

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in Arizona. Ranking Arizona as having the 14th highest rate of suicide as a cause of death in the country.

Julie Munro, a supervisor at 211 Arizona, an information and referral service for individuals and families that operates 24 hours 7 days a week. And provides individuals and families with connections to critical services that can improve and save lives. Munro adds that there has always been a stigmatization around mental health and suicide. “Some preconceptions are that it doesn't happen as often as people think it does. And that those who say, ‘I want to commit suicide’ are doing it for attention. Another thing is that it is an easy way out or that someone who commits suicide or attempts suicide is a coward. It's a very painful decision when someone is at that point.” According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, suicide rates are on the rise.
With Arizona’s suicide mortality rate being generally higher than that of the nations rate. ADHS reported a 2.8% increase in suicide from 2009 to 2019. With suicide death rates showing a rise for all ages groups. According to ADHS in 2019 alone the suicide rates among Arizonans was 36% above the national suicide rates. The ADHS said the most vulnerable population are people who are over the age of 65. According to study in a study done by the America’s Health Rankings published by the United Health Foundation, most suicides among older adults are underreported. Older adults, mostly males compared to women, are more likely to exhibit passive self-harm that may result in death such as refusing: to eat, to take medications or to intake liquids, which are rarely recorded as suicide attempts or deaths by suicide. With recorded suicide attempts showing the use of more lethal methods in older adults than for those among younger age groups. Older adults are nearly twice as likely to use firearms as a means of suicide compared to adults who are younger than 60 years old.
An ADHS study found that, “Historically, suicide mortality in Arizona has been consistently higher among males than females. The general trend during the period under study shows an excess of male suicide mortality compared to female suicide death. From 2009 to 2019, on average, for each female suicide, there were nearly four male suicides.” The study found that male suicide rate are 3.6 times higher than the rate for females. In 2019 29.7% of men compared to 8.3% of females committed suicide. The possible reasoning for these staggering numbers in suicide when compared to men and women are possibly due to societal pressures of men being told to hide their emotions at a very young age. Toxic masculinity is described as having cultural pressures for men to behave in a certain way and to conceal their emotions to prove toughness. Toxic masculinity can cause serious mental health concerns such as stress, depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
Lindsey Wilcox, another supervisor at 211 Operations, said some of the stigma surrounding suicide is a barrier to seeking help, especially among older more vulnerable people. “There is a lot of stigmatization around mental health and suicide in this country. I think there is this sort of attitude that because mental illness doesn’t have the same explicit observable clinical signs that say high blood pressure or stroke have, it isn’t real or it doesn’t exist. This attitude is more pronounced in the older generations than the younger generations. As far as actual suicide goes, I think a lot of times it is viewed as a cop out, something that someone weak would do- when in reality nothing could be further from the truth… I think that in society we could normalize things like suicide and mental health, more people struggling would seek help instead of completing suicide or overdosing.”
Wilcox also said that Arizona has developed a good system to help vulnerable people, but that there could be much more that could be done to help vulnerable school age people get the help that they need. “Actually here in Arizona, we are pretty fortunate and have one of the best mental health and crisis systems in the country… Crisis mobile teams are teams of two counselors that go out into the community and provide in person crisis services and coordination. Crisis transportation is a team of drivers and attendants and can transport individuals to inpatient psych facilities, detox facilities, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters… I think there are definitely opportunities where we could do better. One such area is mental health services at schools. A school counselor is oftentimes a student’s first encounter when they are experiencing a mental health concern. As they aren’t equipped to handle any sort of mental health crisis, they call the crisis line and a crisis mobile is dispatched. During the school year, many of the mobile teams dispatches during the day are school calls. If schools were better equipped to assist their students with mental health concerns, better care and faster care could be provided to students. Another opportunity of growth would be a change in policy of how pick up orders are served. When an individual is petitioned to receive mental health services against their will, a pick up order is sent out after the petition is approved. Currently police departments are completing pick up orders, however for those wanting to die via suicide by cop, this is the worst possible outcome… While I recognize that pick up orders have to be served by someone who can provide secure (locked) transport, I don’t think police are the best equipped to handle it.”
Jordan Weber, a student at Arizona State University, lost her brother to suicide one year ago. Weber said everything should be done to remove the stigma surrounding mental health problems that can lead to suicide. Weber wants more people to listen to those who are possibly dealing with thoughts of suicide, “Knowing someone that has committed suicide proves that it’s impossible to see the signs especially someone you love. And you never know what someone is going through. The best way to help someone is to listen. Listening with no judgement and helping them by getting them resources when possible... I want people to know mental health should be the same as normal health care. Everyone should be taking care of their mental health. And we need to realize the stigma that surrounds suicide and how the stigma affects those in need.” Weber also said that those vulnerable to suicide need professional help. Believing it could be a treacherous thing to do especially for the younger generation. “People have always self diagnosed. Especially since the stigma surrounding mental health. But since quarantine. Mental health has become more mainstream amongst certain age groups so they self diagnose to be ‘in’ but don’t further themselves in getting help. Self diagnosing would cause more harm. If someone feels they might have a mental illness they should seek a mental health professional… so if you think you do have a mental illness it’s best to get clarification from a professional or after self diagnosing still seek help.”