In a recent meeting focused on mental health and suicide prevention in Mohave County, officials revealed alarming statistics regarding suicide rates and demographics for 2022. The data indicated that nearly 20% of suicide cases involved veterans, with the most affected age groups being 75 to 84 years old, and younger adults aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 44. The overwhelming majority of cases—approximately 85%—were male.

The meeting highlighted that firearms were the most common means of suicide, accounting for 60% of cases, followed by hanging and strangulation at 22%, and drug overdoses at 12%. In total, there were 114 suicide-related deaths in the county last year, prompting a thorough review of each case.

To address these concerning trends, the meeting participants discussed several key recommendations aimed at improving mental health services and suicide prevention strategies. Among the top priorities were enhancing training for healthcare staff to better screen and treat depression, as well as providing evidence-based suicide prevention training for corrections and custody staff.

Community engagement emerged as a critical focus, with recommendations to increase gatekeeper training, reduce access to lethal means, and combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Notably, there was strong support for reducing access to lethal means, which received 70 votes as a vital measure to lower suicide risk.

Additional recommendations included firearm safety measures for individuals diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, support for those with terminal illnesses, and the provision of mental health resources in hotels and motels, recognizing that a significant number of suicides occur in these locations.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts to enhance mental health services and promote self-help seeking behaviors within the community, as many individuals do not currently access the support they need.