Archive for Adolescents
Montana Suicide Rates Vary Widely by Age
Posted by: | CommentsSuicide rates in Montana vary widely by age. When all ages are combined, suicide is ranked the 9th leading cause of deaths for Montanans for more than two decades. However, when those rankings are examined by age group the risk of suicide varies considerably.
Death by suicide is significant cause of mortality among youth and young adults in Montana. It is the leading cause of preventable death for the ages 10 to 14 and the second leading cause of death for the ages 15 to 24 and 25 to 34.1
Compared nationally, Montana’s rate of suicide from 1999 – 2003 for 15 – 24 year olds was 17.68 per 100,000 while nationally is was to 10.01 per 100,000.
Interesting fact: There is a correlation between smoking and suicidal behavior in people of all ages.
The Journal of Adolescent Medicine (2004) reported that teenagers who smoke had a rate of suicide attempts four times higher than teens who do not.
Source: State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan: http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf
Suicide Rates Remain Highest Among White Men Over 65
Posted by: | CommentsSuicide rates among adolescents and youth in some areas of the nation have increased dramatically. At the other end of the age spectrum, suicide rates remain the highest among white males over the age of 65. Differences are also occurring in some racial groups with the rates of suicide among young African American males showing significant increases.
Source: State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan at http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf
Part 4 Prevalence of Suicide in Montana – Montana’s Unique Characteristics
Posted by: | CommentsSuicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in our state (Montana), second only to motor vehicle accidents.
A fourth reason listed by State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan at http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf is:
Montana’s Unique Characteristics
• Much of Montana epitomizes geographical isolation, accentuated by the harsh winter climate.
• Since the arrival of the earliest white settlers, there has been an ingrained social culture that has accepted suicide as a part of life in Montana.
• Montana’s rate of suicide has proven resistant to improvement from previous prevention efforts.
• There is a lack of availability and access to mental health services in many areas in the state, in part due to the state’s remoteness.
• There is a prevalent and proud “western” culture and attitude among the Caucasian majority in Montana – ‘we can take care of ourselves.’
• Frequently, there is access to firearms that are not properly stored.
• There is a lack of transportation services for some people that inhibits their ability to seek or receive help.
• There is a lack of communication infrastructure (phones, cellular service, and Internet access) in some areas, including American Indian reservations, frontier and rural areas.
• Montana ranks high in alcohol and substance abuse when compared to other states in the U.S
This is the last of 4 posts. To see the other’s please visit the archives.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in our state (Montana), second only to motor vehicle accidents.
A third reason listed by State of Montana Suicide Prevention Plan at http://www.sprc.org/stateinformation/PDF/stateplans/plan_mt.pdf is:
Lack of mental health providers and treatment facilities
• There is a shortage of inpatient mental health treatment facilities. The availability of this vital resource is diminishing with the closure of inpatient psychiatric beds.
• There is a severe lack of appropriate comprehensive outpatient services.
• There is insufficient integration of traditional and culturally specific interventions
• Montana has a severe shortage of psychiatrists, especially child and adolescent psychiatrists
• There is a lack of physicians capable of providing appropriate psychiatric medication treatments
• There is a lack of post intervention services
This is the third of 4 posts. To see the other’s please visit the archives.
Part 2 – Prevalence of Suicide in Montana – Demographics and Geography
Posted by: | CommentsSuicide 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.
FACTS ABOUT ADOLESCENT SUICIDE IN MONTANA
Posted by: | CommentsWHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT ADOLESCENT SUICIDE IN MONTANA?
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Montana youth ages 15-24.
- Only unintentional injuries such as car wrecks, drowning and fire kill more Montana youth than does suicide.
- This is not a new phenomenon. Montana has ranked in the top 5 states for the highest rates of youth suicide for the past several decades.
- Alcohol and drug impairment, a sense of hopelessness, and underlying mental illness all contribute to the high rate of youth suicide.
- In 2005, 25.6% of high school students in Montana reported they felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks ore more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities. (YRBS/OPI)
- Well over half of all Montana high school students have used alcohol within the past 30 days
- Montana follows the same pattern as most of the United States: females are more apt to attempt suicide, and males are more apt to complete suicide. This is because more females choose reversible means such as poison, and more males choose irreversible means such as firearms.
- It is estimated that the suicide-related medical costs in Montana for a single year total over $6 million, lost future earnings tops $19 million, and loss to quality of life is estimated at $78 million.
The emotional and social cost of these losses is immeasurable. Most every person in Montana has felt the hurt, anger, loss and despair caused by this kind of preventable death.
Youth Suicide Prevention Montana:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/family-health/suicide-prevention/suicide-prev-index.shtml
