The pandemic roared into existence in 2020, adding stress to the lives of many of us. Despite that, Oregon's suicide rate actually declined a bit from the year before.
That's a step in the right direction, but one tempered by the fact that the state still ranks well above the national average for suicide... now ranked 13th, instead of 9th.
OHA, the Oregon Health Authority, connects to a number of suicide prevention resources, including Matchstick Consulting, which offers school-based suicide prevention programs.
Shanda Hochstetler from OHA and Liz Thorne from Matchstick talk to us about their work.
OHA provided this set of links and info:
Are you wondering, “What’s happening statewide in youth suicide prevention? Can I get involved?” You sure can. Start here.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
24 hours a day / 7 days a week
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
En español: 1-888-628-9454
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Crisis Text Line (24/7 support) Text OREGON to 741741.