San Diego County has seen a slight uptick in suicide deaths, with 363 reported in 2023. This marks a one percent increase from the previous year, as shared in the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council's annual Report to the Community. Despite this small year-over-year increase, there's an observable downward trend since 2019, having decreased by 12 percent over the past four years.
Interestingly, while the overall suicide rate in the county is on a decline, youths aged between 10 and 24 have experienced a concerning 56 percent increase in suicide rates from 2022 to 2023. This statistic underscores an urgent need for prevention strategies tailored to young people. County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and Behavioral Health Services Director Luke Bergmann disclosed these statistics at a press conference, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in suicide prevention efforts.
Demographically speaking, older male residents, especially those who are Non-Hispanic White or living in the East Region, face the highest suicide risks. Firearms remain the most common method of suicide, particularly among males and those over 65, prompting the Board of Supervisors to push for safe gun storage regulations to curb these deaths.
In response to the increased suicide rates among youth, San Diego County's Behavioral Health Services launched the Mobile Crisis Response Teams initiative, targeting school districts since November 2024. The "Helping, Engaging, Reconnecting, and Educating" (HERE) Now program has reportedly reached more than 3,800 students, offering suicide risk assessments and providing critical interventions as needed, according to the County of San Diego.
