Las Vegas; Suicide in the Silver State
Wherever or whenever one reads, 2006-2015, Las Vegas hits the highest mark for its suicide rate. For example;
“It won’t surprise anyone to learn that Las Vegas has the highest suicide rate in America. At 34.5 per 100,000 people annually, Sin City scores over three times above the national rate of 10.7”.(Vivian Giang and Gus Lubin, Business Insider,.July 21, 2011)
“After peaking in 2006, traffic fatalities in Nevada have dipped to historic lows as police agencies stepped up enforcement of drunken driving and seat belt laws. In the same time span, gun suicides have risen to all-time highs”. (Las Vegas Review-Journal July 24, 2015)
There seems to be confusion as to the answer. Some guess that the suicide-prone come to Vegas for a last hoorah before committing the act. Some quote statistics regarding suicide among veterans. Some refuse to connect it to gambling losses.
Why the confusion? “Suicide is far more understandable than people think”. (Post published by Alex Lickerman M.D. on Apr 29, 2010 in Happiness in this World, in Psychology Today) “Over 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death. And the most common mental illness is depression. Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide. Untreated mental illness (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others) is the cause for the vast majority of suicides”. (Kevin Caruso, Suicide.org)
Residents and visitors, you are not alone. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects data about mortality in the U.S., including suicide. In 2013 (the most recent year for which full data are available). 41,149 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In that year, someone in the country died by suicide every 12.8 minutes”. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Matt Wray lives in Philadelphia and works as a sociologist at Temple University. He used to live in Las Vegas, and says he was struck by the city’s historically high suicide rate of about one suicide per day. No matter what the causes for the exceptionally high rate of suicides among Las Vegas residents and visitors alike, Wray says proven preventive measures should be reinforced in Vegas, such as training doctors to better recognize the symptoms of depression and suicidal behaviors.
This is where Counseling on Demand comes in. We as mental health professionals recognize all very well, these symptoms. Although we do not treat suicidal clients online. we can refer you to PleaseLive.org, or your local mental health specialist. We do, however, help those with suicide’s greatest cause, untreated severe depression… to prevent the act. You need not go through this alone. With our support, you can get through these times.
We can help. You needn’t leave your favorite/private place. Nor must you wait for an appointment. We are there 24/7. You can begin in 24 hours or less.
You may contact us now. Your first consultation is free.
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