Western States Lead Nation In Suicides, With 10 Of Top 15

Oregonians are killing themselves at a rate 40 percent higher than the national average, ranking the state seventh for suicides.

A record 502 suicides last year translates to roughly one death every 17.8 hours in Oregon, with April the leading month.

Mental disease and alcohol or drug abuse are the main contributing factors to suicide, said Dr. Alan Berman, director of the American Association of Suicidology in Washington, D.C.

Other factors include “isolation, a lack of involvement with significant others, impulsiveness and feelings of rage, helplessness and hopelessness,” Berman said. “It’s stress on top of a reduced ability to cope with stress.”

Association figures show the West led the country in suicide rates, with 10 of the top 15 states.

The highest annual suicide rate per 100,000 population was in Nevada, followed by New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Florida, 10th on the list, was the only state outside the West.

In Oregon, 63 percent of the suicides involve firearms. Most of the 1994 victims - about 40 percent - were between ages 25 and 44.