Carson City, NV August 30, 2023
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention is asking for your help in turning the skyline purple and turquoise during Suicide Prevention Week Sunday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 16 to remember lives lost to suicide and remind all Nevadans that they are not alone.
Each year, more than 800,000 people worldwide die by suicide, including nearly 48,000 Americans. In Nevada, there were 683 deaths from suicide in 2021, and on average, one Nevadan dies by suicide every 14 hours. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-44 in the Silver State, and ninth leading cause for all Nevadans.
However, prevention efforts are helping. Nevada ranked first highest in the nation for suicide from 1939 to 1999. Currently, Nevada ranks 8th highest in the U.S.
"National Suicide Prevention Awareness week and month are opportunities to shine a bright light on an important public health concern that affects all Nevadans," said Misty Vaughan Allen, Nevada's suicide prevention coordinator. “We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide whether as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a person with lived experience.”
Vaughan Allen said the Office of Suicide Prevention encourages all Nevadans to illuminate their homes with purple and teal light bulbs that can be easily purchased online or at home improvement stores during Suicide Prevention Week.
“We can all encourage understanding about the issue, reach out to people who are struggling, and share our experiences,” she said. “We can all create hope through action and be the light.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, call/text/chat with a crisis counselor at 988 today. To learn more about the Office of Suicide Prevention, go to SuicidePrevention.nv.gov.