COLUMBUS – Ohio health officials are calling a disturbing rise in the suicide rate, especially among young people – some as young as 10 years old — an “epidemic.”
National Suicide Prevention Life line (1-800-273-8255)
Crisis Text Line (text “4hope” to 741 741)
According to a new report released by the Ohio Department of Health Wednesday, there were 1,836 suicides in Ohio in 2018, a 45 percent increase since 2007, and the 271 suicides involving people between 10 and 24 years of age represented a 56 percent increase.
“Suicide in Ohio and nationally is a growing public health epidemic, particularly among young people,” said department director Dr. Amy Acton.
Warning signs that someone may be considering suicide include major changes in mood or behavior, appearing consistently unhappy/depressed, irritable, withdrawn from family or friends; poor grades in school or other bad performance in extra-curricular activities; engaging in high-risk behaviors, including use of alcohol or other substances; experiencing problems with concentration; changes in energy level, appetite or sleep schedule; expressing feelings of hopeless or not wanting to live anymore; hurting themselves (e.g., wrist-cutting, burning self); a history or family history of depression.
Acton says suicide is the leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10‐14 and the second leading cause of death among those between 15 and 34. Five people die by suicide in Ohio every day and a young person takes their life every 33 hours, she said
The department estimates that one young Ohioan dies by suicide every 33 hours.
How you can help a friend or family member
Ask directly about thoughts of suicide
Listen to what they need
Keep them safe by keeping lethal means away from them
Call 911 if necessary
Help them connect with ongoing support:
National Suicide Prevention Life line (1-800-273-8255)
Crisis Text Line (text “4hope” to 741 741)
Check back the next day to see how they are doing
-Source: Ohio Dept. of Health
The highest suicide rate was among adults 45-64 years old and the report says than men are nearly four times as likely to commit suicide as women.
While the suicide rate was highest among white, non-Hispanic men during the period covered by the report, the suicide rate among black men increased by nearly 54 percent and that among adults over 65 rose by 48 percent.
The RecoveryOhio Advisory Council, formed by Gov. Mike DeWine as part of an initiative to address the problems of mental illness and suicide, has issued more than 70 recommendations on dealing with mental illness in the workplace, erasing stigma, and improving prevention and recovery resources.