Pima County Health Department provides important advice and community resources to address the increasing crisis. A recent report indicates that over 49,000 individuals died by suicide in 2023, with the highest rates seen among those aged 30-39, 60-69, and 70-79 in Pima County.
Local program manager Mark Person, who was affected by the loss of his childhood friend Ryan to suicide, advocates for consistent connection as a possible lifeline. "We talked about childhood memories and just kind of shot the breeze for a while, and then it wasn't more than maybe one or two weeks where I got the call that he had died by suicide not long after I talked with him," Person told Pima County Newsroom.
Subtle signs, such as withdrawing from activities and giving belongings away, can easily go unnoticed. The key, Person suggests, is in the persistent, sometimes daily checking in – a strategy that may seem inconsequential but has the potential to change outcomes. "The worst thing you can do is nothing," he explained in the news release.
The Pima County mortality review committee, which includes Person, has identified a concerning statistic: most local suicide deaths involved firearms, often obtained without the owner's knowledge. Person recommends that individuals with firearms take preventive measures by securely storing them to decrease the chances of impulsive self-harm.
For those seeking support or training on how to identify and respond to suicide warning signs, Pima County Health Department offers a range of mental health services, including gatekeeper training. Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, or their loved ones, can call 988 for immediate assistance available nationwide, or reach out to local support at 520-622-6000 in Pima County. In urgent situations where safety is at risk, dialing 911 remains the recommended course of action.
