REDDING, Calif. — Finding new ways to address mental illness and suicide is a growing problem nationwide and the Northstate is no exception.

According to Shasta County Health and Human Service Agency, the county averages about 40 suicide deaths a year. That amounts to twice the statewide rate when measured by how many suicide deaths the county has per one hundred thousand people.

"There are many potential reasons as to why we have a high rate. One could be social isolation. We have a huge county that's very hard to travel across. We have high rates of poverty. It might be hard to get out and connect with others. We also have high rates of adverse childhood experiences," said Marc Dadigan, Supervising Community Education Specialist at Shasta County Health and Human Services.

To read the full article written by Sade Browne click HERE