Survey finds that suicides are more common in Oregon

(APRIL 8 2019) Suicide is when a person kills themself. Many news sources do not report suicides. They want to respect the victims' families. They think the news might cause more suicides.

However, news sources have a new project. It is "Breaking the Silence." From April 7 to 14, news sources are sharing more information about suicide.

For example, the number of suicides has increased over the past 50 years. The government estimates 25,000 Americans died by suicide in 2016. 21% of Americans thought about suicide.

In Oregon, the numbers are higher. 31% of Oregonians thought about suicide, according to a recent survey. Over 800 people took their lives in Oregon in 2018.

“It’s a more common experience in Oregon. They are more likely to know somebody, more likely to talk to somebody,” said John Horvick. He works for the research company.

The research says 45% of Oregonians say that someone they know has talked to them about thoughts of suicide. The national average is only 22%. More Oregonians probably know someone who has died by suicide, too.

Experts say intervention works. Intervention means help from someone else. Sometimes that help is just a phone call. For example, there are hotlines, such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255). Talking helps a lot, experts say.

“This challenge knows no racial, gender or other traditional boundaries,” says Dwight Holton. He manages Lines for Life, a crisis center in Southwest Portland. “The most important thing we can do is make sure people know it’s OK to reach out for help. ... It’s OK to not feel great, but what we know is: reach out for help, because help works."