Nevada Drops in National Suicide Ranking, but Is There More Work to Be Done?

According to a new report by Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), Nevada has officially dropped from the top 10 states ranking in suicide. While the state ranked 7th in 2019, with 642 deaths at a rate of 19.8 suicides per 100,000 population, those numbers dropped throughout 2020 and 2021, landing the state at 12th in the nation for suicide rates. This is an impressive improvement, but the fight against suicide is far from over in Nevada. What else is being done to combat suicide rates in the state? What can be further improved? 

Nevada historically ranks low in access to mental health care, according to Mental Health America. As the mental health of adolescents and adults alike has suffered from the effects of the pandemic, lack of treatment and widespread access to mental health services continues to impact the welfare of those struggling with mental illness. 

In recent years, the Silver State has taken many steps to give residents’ easier access to mental health care by addressing suicide prevention and mental health, including dedicating additional funding for programs such as the Nevada Resilience Project, Zero Suicide, and Project Aware in partnership with the Department of Education. 

In her address to Nevada’s drop in the national suicide ranking, Misty Vaughan Allen, State Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Office of Suicide Prevention in Nevada, called attention to the necessity for further action as she commented on the state’s progress: “While this is encouraging news and highlights the resilience of Nevadans, we have much more work to do to continue and sustain this downward trajectory. Suicide is complex and the efforts to increase protection from suicide, especially with our young people, will require comprehensive and collaborative work and creative thinking. Even one loss to suicide is one life too many.” 

At Serenity Mental Health Centers, we’ve made it our mission to respond to individuals in need of help by providing our communities with accessible, personalized mental health treatment at our clinic locations across the country. With our upcoming clinic opening in Las Vegas, Nevada , we will strive to help patients in the Silver State suffering from depression and anxiety to achieve long-term results by offering innovative technology and breakthrough treatments in psychiatry. You don’t have to face your symptoms alone. Take back your life from mental illness and reach out to us to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed psychiatrists. 

If you or a loved one begins to experience suicidal thoughts, call 911 or a local emergency number such as a suicide hotline immediately. More resources include: 

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Press “1” at the end of this number to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. 
• Contact Crisis Support Services of Nevada by calling 800-273-8255 or text CARE to 839863. 
• Text a crisis text line such as 741741 to speak with a trained crisis worker. 
• Reach out to a loved one or a trusted friend. 
• Contact a dependable member of your faith community.