By Seth Klamann, Casper Star-Tribune, October 25, 2019
The suicide rate among older teenagers in Wyoming has increased by 40% over the past three years, according to a sweeping health report released last month that placed the Equality State in the lower half of states for women’s and children’s health.
Among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19, the suicide rate jumped from 22.2 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2016 to 31.1 this year. It’s the second-worst rate in America, behind Alaska. While teen suicide has been on the rise nationally, Wyoming’s rate is triple the national average.
“It’s horrifying anywhere you see it,” said Dr. Janice Huckaby, “and certainly a 40% jump is significant.”
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