New Mexico’s suicide rate is the second-highest in the nation
According to statistics from the New Mexico Department of Health website, New Mexico has the second-highest rate of suicide in the nation, with a rate that is consistently 50% higher than the national average. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in our state for all ages but is the leading cause of death in 15- to 17-year-olds (this rate also includes unintentional injuries). It is the second-highest cause of death in age ranges from 5 to 14 and 18 to 35.
Rates are also increasing, doubling in those aged 65-74 and tripling in 10- to 14-year-olds.
Rates are three times higher in males than females, and highest amongst Caucasian and Indigenous people in our state.
Additionally, adolescents who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to die by suicide than heterosexual teens of the same age.
About two-thirds of individuals who complete suicide suffers from depression. Depression is, unfortunately, common in children and teens, and seems to have become even more so during the pandemic. In fact, 0.5% of kids 3-5 years of age, 1.4% of kids 6-11 years old, and 5-11% of adolescents 12-17 years of age (shockingly, almost 20% of teenage girls) suffer from depression. Depression can also run-in families. Kids and teens often will not tell you outright that they are depressed, so it can be helpful to know some of the warning signs.
Depression can be exhibited by multiple different symptoms in kids and teens. These symptoms may include: sadness or irritability; change in sleep patterns and eating habits; weight loss or gain; no longer enjoying things that made them happy; isolating themselves from friends or social groups; fatigue or low energy; exhibiting low self-esteem; decreased focus or drop in grades; complaining of physical aches and pains with no identifiable cause; seeming uncaring about the future; neglect of personal appearance or responsibilities; self-harm; using drugs or alcohol; and talking about self-harm or suicide.
