Part 2 – Prevalence of Suicide in Montana – Demographics and Geography

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in our state (Montana), second only to motor vehicle accidents. 

A second reason listed by State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan at http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf is:

Montana demographics and geography

• Montana is a large frontier state with many isolated communities

• Ongoing stigma towards seeking mental health services and concerns of maintaining confidentiality in small communities inhibit individuals from seeking needed treatment4

• A large percentage of Montana’s population lacks health coverage11

• Montana has a high availability of lethal means, especially firearms that increase the lethality of impulsive suicidal behaviors1

• Montana has high rates of alcoholism and other drug addictions; including the current devastating epidemic of Methamphetamine use

• Montana has high rates of sexual and physical abuse as well as domestic violence affecting both children and adults

• The farm and ranch economic crisis and the difficulty in attracting industry to provide a stable employment market in Montana are ongoing stressors.

This is the 2nd in a 4 part series.  Check the archives for the other 3 parts.