Small towns face rising suicide rates

New York Times

Suicide rates are increasing at a greater pace in rural than urban communities across the U.S. Common risk factors in rural areas include lower incomes, less access to health and mental health care, greater access to firearms, an ethic of self-sufficiency, and greater social isolation overall yet less anonymity in small towns. These factors, coupled with a fear of stigma, keep people from seeking treatment. A variety of efforts are being made to address these issues, including a program in Wyoming to train volunteers to talk with people who may be at risk of self-harm. Since the program started two years ago, it has been adopted by community organizations, churches, and some large employers, and referrals to mental health services have been increasing. Another approach being implemented is integrating mental health treatment into health care settings by offering these services at the same location and providing mental health services via live video chats at health clinics. Many people are more comfortable seeing a primary care provider than a mental health provider. “This is the same place they go for a cold and flu; nothing looks different,” said Emily Selby-Nelson (a psychologist at Cabin Creek Health Systems, which provides health care in rural West Virginia), whose office is in the same building as other health care services and shares the same registration desk.

Spark Extra! For more information on integrating suicide prevention into rural primary care practices, see Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Rural Primary Care.