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

Suicide is 8th leading cause of death in Arizona

During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is working with state agencies, organizations, and coalitions to educate citizens about the role that we all play in preventing suicide. Governor Doug Ducey proclaimed September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Arizona, citing that:

• Among those ages 10 to 34 in Arizona, suicide is the second leading cause of death,
• On average, a suicide occurs approximately every seven hours in Arizona,
• Arizona ranks 13th in the nation for deaths by suicide, and
• 1,419 Arizonans died by suicide in 2019.

In coordination with the Arizona Department of Health Services, 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.

AHCCCS joined the Arizona Registrar of Contractors for a September "AZ ROC Talk" podcast episode about suicide prevention. The episode will air on September 14, 2021, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and almost anywhere you can listen to podcasts. Follow @AZ_ROC on Twitter to get the link once the episode is released.

Follow AHCCCS on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn where we share national and local crisis resources, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK [8255]), Arizona’s Teen Lifeline (800-248-8336 [TEEN]), and county-specific crisis hotlines.