A lot of Utahns are assisting with efforts to curtail the state’s uniquely high rates of suicide, specifically among teenagers.
But a new report indicates there isn’t much data available on whether these many efforts are producing the desired results, as suicide rates in Utah continue to rise and the phenomenon of suicide remains largely misunderstood.
It also points to the fact that Utahns lack access to sufficient mental health care, beginning in elementary school, where the state has one counselor for every 2,333 students.
“People have to realize that we’ve got to have engagement across the whole of society on this issue,” said Peter Reichard, president at the Utah Foundation, which released its report, “Getting to Tomorrow: Addressing Suicide in Utah and the Mountain States,” on Wednesday.
“Whether it is better parenting, having engaged friends, engaged educators and engaged health professionals, help in the criminal justice system, involved employers and policymakers, even the media has a role to play.”
Reichard said more research is needed to know out how to properly intervene.
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