ST. GEORGE — Utah has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Do you know how to help someone contemplating suicide? Would you know if someone is thinking about ending their life?
Find out how to help others by learning the answer to these questions and more at the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce community connect luncheon Wednesday.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death overall in Utah, according to a news release issued by the chamber. An average of one person in Utah dies by suicide every 15.6 hours. It is the third leading cause of death for ages 10-14, the second leading cause of death for ages 15-44 and the fourth leading cause of death for ages 45-54.
Attendees to the community connect luncheon will get a preview of Washington County’s “question, persuade, refer” public relation’s training that enables people to save a life by asking a simple question: “Are you contemplating suicide?”
Learn how to become a gatekeeper by recognizing a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be considering suicide. This training is geared toward raising awareness about suicide, along with the myths and misunderstandings surrounding it.
Event details
- What: St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Community Connect luncheon.
- When: Wednesday, June 21 | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; program begins at noon.
- Where: Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 S. Bluff St., St. George.
- Cost: $15 per person; register to attend here.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
I was talking to a friend about Utah having the 3rd highest rate in the nation for suicide, trying to understand why.
One possible (and unexpected) link is elevation:
https://mic.com/articles/104096/there-s-a-suicide-epidemic-in-utah-and-one-neuroscientist-thinks-he-knows-why#.e7k9qnw6s
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3114154/
If you look at the chart on the second link, the suicide rate doubles when you go from 2,000 feet to 4,500 feet. Utah’s mean elevation is 6,100 feet, and the vast majority of the Utah’s population lives at 4,000+ feet.
If you removed the effects of elevation (including hypoxia) on Utah residents, would our suicide rate be cut in half? That would rank us 42nd highest instead of 3rd.
Regardless (since we can’t change our elevation), the emphasis has to be on prevention and support. But hopefully as we understand the effect elevation has they’ll come up with effective solutions or treatments.
I think the main culprit is your religion.
That’s because you’re more interested in bigotry than data and real solutions.
I’ve heard the altitude theory and I’m not convinced. Since you bring up bigotry, pretty sure your religion is one of the most bigoted you’ll find.
Yup a study out of Utah by a Utah resident /slash mormon is credible.
Utah has been the leading suicide demographic of teens for decades.
Altitude bears little to no effect on suicide. I haven’t done a total research project on this, but
I have done enough that shows societal environment plays a much bigger role in ones disposition.
Most teen suicides occur from lack of acceptance. There hasn’t been an actual study on the foundation of
the mormon family unit, but I’ll bet dollars to donuts the problem lies within that sphere, at least for Utah.
My personal experience with mormon youth who are different find themselves in a no mans land desperate
for acceptance. Salt Lake has a huge homeless population of teens that are displaced because of family disgust.
“I haven’t done a total research project on this”… Apparently that includes not reading either of the sources cited. And what makes you think Dr. Renshaw is a Mormon? 100% of the education listed in his bio is from back east.
Yes, someone from Utah is studying the suicide rate in Utah. Do you expect someone from the University of Istanbul to show a greater interest in our suicide rate than we do? In other news Utah weathermen show more interest in Utah weather than Cambodia weathermen do.
The statistical data speaks for itself, and affects Utah and every other Rocky Mountain state, including those with very little LDS population or influence. Altitude connection 1, religious connection 0. The same pattern (increased altitude = increased suicide) rate also hold true around the world. I’m sure it’s just because some of those filthy Mormon missionaries were spreading their lies there, too.
Yup, he’s a mormon and a supplement pill pusher. His research is all over the place and not recognized as any kind of definitive conclusion.
He did mention mormon influence but that’s it. There you happy, I read that article and four other ones on his claims.
He’s using a method that has not been approved to determine any why’s.
I have some swampland for sale Brian, you interested?
Did a little more digging and it turns out Southern Utah ranks right up there with Northern Utah.
Salt Lake 3rd in the Nation St George/ Washington County 5th in the Nation.
I think the altitude theory is bogus, and just a way to deflect from the religious dogma plaguing Utah.
Brian will be the lone defender of The One True Church™ even after it all turns to dust. As a former active member (still active on the books 😉 ..) I can tell u that there were times when sacrament meeting became so boring that one could easily began to think of suicide just to make it end. Doing the same nonsense every week till the end of one’s life, ugh. I think fast and testimony meeting was the very worst because it always seems to run over time. It’s just too much–too much bs, lol. Hey Brian, what’s ur thoughts on the holy prophet Joe Smith gettin’ with 13-14 year olds? Kinda similar to the holy prophet warren jeffs, no?
LOL I sat through all those as well, I think some may have even thought about killing the speaker let alone suicide.
I call BS and LIAR until you provide a link.
A little temper tantrum? If he provides a link are u gonna apologize?
Link or not I was able to find the info as you should be able to do. It wouldn’t matter if I gave you a link because you’re unwilling to include
the mormon stigma affecting children in order to save face. Ignoring possible connections to a suicide epidemic is part of the problem, and doesn’t help bring a solution. Four kids between 14-17 in one neighborhood committed suicide over a two year period here in southern Utah just in the last 4 years.
I personally know two of the families and the fact their kids were non traditional and social outcast in accordance to the tradition nuclear family unit mormons profess, pushed them to the outer edges of darkness. I hope you have a good life, but I disrespect you for not investigating any and all causes just to protect your precious religion.
It’s like how they weren’t going to let the children of homosexual couples be a part of their LDS club. They were going to ban them. I think it’s unconscionable. LDS is very good at excluding people and creating in-groups and out-groups. I went thru most of my school years in a small LDS dominated town and i remember how they treated non-lds. This was 20 some years ago and I hope it’s gotten better, but seems younger people are still killing themselves, so….
Yep. It’s the altitude. It has nothing to do with the local cult.