National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Washington, Oregon Health Agencies Watching For Suicide Rise During Pandemic, But Not Seeing It

By Tom Banse December 16, 2020

Mock headstones outside the State Capitol mark the number of people who died by suicide in Washington in one year as part of an education event during the 2017 legislative session. Courtesy of Jo Arlow

It stands to reason that all the stress, anxiety and isolation of the pandemic could lead more people to take their own lives. But newly obtained data for Washington and Oregon show this is one bad thing that 2020 has not delivered. Public health agencies and suicide prevention groups have been keeping an eye out since spring for a possible rise in suicides.Read More

StoryCorps Northwest: She Became A Counselor After Two Sons Died By Suicide

By Sueann Ramella December 2, 2020

Ali Bretthauer and her mother, Catherine Perusse

Catherine Perusse is a counselor in Sandpoint, Idaho, who knows first-hand about the devastation of suicide: Two of her sons died of self-inflected death six years apart. In this episode of StoryCorps Northwest, Catherine and her daughter, Ali Bretthauer of Moscow, Idaho, share how the deaths changed their lives.Read More

Youth Suicide Rates Are On The Rise In The U.S.

By PBS Newshour October 19, 2019

No racial or ethnic group has been spared in this rising rate among young Americans, according to federal data.

While suicide was the 10th most common cause of death among Americans of all ages in 2017, it was the second leading cause of death among young Americans age 15 to 24, according to new data released Thursday from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More

Reach Out: Ways To Help A Loved One At Risk Of Suicide

By NWPB News April 22, 2019

Suicide prevention experts and survivors of suicide attempts say the best way to help someone at risk is to start a conversation about suicide and help the person find the right kind of help.

What can you do when you fear someone you know may be considering suicide? It can feel daunting, but suicide prevention experts say we all can help someone at risk by reaching out and showing we care.Read More