Warning: This story discusses suicide at length. If you or someone you know is need of help, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Suicide in Nevada has been a major problem for decades, and in the Mountain West, we’re not alone.
Over the years, Nevada and other southwestern states have ranked so high in suicides, suicide ideation and attempts that it’s become known as the “suicide belt.”
In Nevada, more people die from suicide in a year than those who die from car crashes and homicides combined. In 2023, 654 people in Nevada died by suicide.
It’s why for years, KNPR's State of Nevada has done shows in September, Suicide Prevention Month, and throughout the year.
From newly complied 2023 statistics by the state Office of Suicide Prevention, there have been sharp declines in some parts of the state, but sharp increases in others.
In Clark County that year, 400 people died by suicide. Though that number is the biggest in the state, it’s the lowest rate because Clark County has more people than any other county. The rate of suicide was 16.7 per 100,000 people, an 11% decrease. By comparison, rural counties in northern Nevada saw a 36% increase; and southern rural counties saw a 26% increase.
Misty Vaughn Allen with the state said a lack of access to therapists, and access to “lethal means” might have something to do with the rural increases.
“As we came out of COVID, we saw rates increase in all regions, but for rural communities, the access to those resources that might have grown during COVID probably weren’t as readily available.”
She added, “another piece of rural risk is access to lethal means. We can’t ignore that factor. One proven prevention strategies is lethal means safety.”
She also believes the national crisis response system, where people can call or text 988 and have access to crisis and suicide prevention help, has been a big factor in the reduction of suicide in urban areas.
The pandemic brought to light led to an awareness of mental health issues nationwide. For some, it lifted the stigma of seeking therapy. The Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada, which has 13 clubs with another one on the way, saw that even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Megan Freeman, senior mental health consultant for the organization, said it began offering therapy to children and their parents in 2019. It now has five licensed therapists, two social work interns and 13 UNLV students in behavioral health working with children and families.
“We have a high rate of children and teens who have experienced childhood trauma,” Freeman said. “The individual impact for any given child or family is so important because services for children are not readily available in Nevada. So we are decreasing some major barriers to access.”
Suicide is so common in Nevada, just about everyone in the state knows of or has heard of someone who has taken their life. The impact for survivors, for family and friends, can last a lifetime.
Steven Spann knew a woman who, unknown to him, suffered from depression and died by suicide. As an artist, he has worked with others to do what he can to combat mental health issues.
After learning that the fashion industry is in the top 10 of occupations with mental health issues, Spann directed his art to fighting it.
“You don’t really think of that group as having particular mental health challenges,” he said, adding that he sat down with many models and others in the industry to talk about it.
“I asked them what it looked like and what it felt like.”
Then, using recycled material, he crafted fashions to portray those inner feelings.
In early September, models wore the creations at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas, where people drink, carouse and are generally trying to have a good time.
Spann said that once people realized what the show was for, they “were extremely curious and extremely engaged.”
One of the models confided to him, as well, that the show saved her from suicide.
“She said if we wouldn’t have done it, ‘I probably would have done it,’” he said.
At the state level, Vaughn Allen announced that it was just informed it will be receiving $735,000 in federal grants over five years to combat suicide. They’ll focus on Carson City, Churchill County and Elko counties “to support the youth and their families.”
Guests: Misty Vaughn Allen, suicide prevention coordinator, state of Nevada; Steven Spann, artist, Art for Activism; Megan Freeman, senior mental health consultant, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada
