Hunter
12/02/24
Recent figures show the overall number of suicides in Iowa dropped in 2023, but went up among teenagers.
The Gazette reports data from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services shows the percentage of overall suicides committed by teens rose from 3.1 percent to a ten-year high 5.2 percent. 26 young people took their lives in 2023.
Jonathan Platt, an assistant professor at the University of Iowa who specializes in mental health research, told the newspaper that even though the rates are based on relatively small numbers, it’s important to think about what is driving the increase.
Overall suicides decreased from a ten-year high of 581 in 2022 to 496 the following year. Platt said that part of the change can be attributed to simplifying the number to the National Suicide Lifeline to 988 in 2022.
Researchers focus on two main areas when studying suicides. The first is determining what factors put people most at risk, such as where they occur and among what groups of people. The second is studying what types of intervention are the most effective.
There are several resources if you need to talk to someone about your mental health. They include:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 for crisis help
Your Life Iowa: Call 1- (855) 581-8111 or text 1- (855) 895-8398 any time for crisis support in the state of Iowa; it is available 24/7
The Trevor Project: Call 1- (866) 488-7386 for the LGBTQ Crisis and Suicide Hotline
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255
More local resources:
For Johnson County residents: www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/service-directory/health-services/counseling-mental-health
For Linn County residents: www.linncountyiowa.gov/1458/Mental-Health-Resources