Tennessee’s suicide rate is highest in 5 years

Tennessee’s suicide rate reached its highest level in five years in 2013, the latest year figures were available, according to a Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network report.

The Status of Suicide in Tennessee 2015 reports 1,017 suicide deaths at a rate of 15.7 per 100,000. The nationwide rate is 13 per 100,000.

The majority of the deaths were white middle-aged males.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death of people ages 10-19 in Tennessee — more than cancer and heart disease combined. One in 11 high school students attempted suicide from 2012 to 2013.

“Suicide remains a major public health threat in the state of Tennessee,” TSPN Executive Director Scott Ridgway said in the report’s introduction. “As such, TSPN remains at the ready to educate the people and dispel the stigma attached to suicide and mental health issues.”

This year the Suicide Prevention Network is working to increase behavioral inpatient and outpatient programs through the Zero Suicide Initiative, as well as get input from survivors of suicide attempt.

The group also encourages the use of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

For more information on the network and the report, visit www.tspn.org.