During September, State Agencies and Organizations Call Attention to Suicide Prevention Efforts

Suicide is 10th leading cause of death in Arizona

During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, AHCCCS is working with state agencies, organizations, and coalitions to educate citizens about the role that everyone plays in preventing suicides. Governor Doug Ducey proclaimed September 2022 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Arizona, citing that:

• Arizona ranks 20th in the nation for deaths by suicide,
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Arizona,
• 1,359 Arizonans died by suicide in 2020,
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Arizonans ages 10-34, and
• On average, one person in Arizona dies by suicide every six and a half hours.

In coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), suicide prevention is included in the 2021-2025 Arizona Health Improvement Plan.

During the next five years, public health partners will focus on: increasing the number of individuals who receive an approved, evidence-based suicide prevention training; increasing access to mental health management resources, with a particular focus on remote options (telehealth therapy/psychiatry/addiction support appointments, virtual support groups, mental health first aid, etc.); and increasing awareness and use of population-based mental health and wellness resources, developing strategies to close gaps.

Follow AHCCCS on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for national and local crisis resources, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), Arizona’s Teen Lifeline (800-248-8336 [TEEN]), and county-specific crisis hotlines.