NC creates plan to address high rate of suicide, self-injury

North Carolina on Friday announced a new plan to tackle high rates of suicide in the state.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, suicide is among the top five leading causes of death for people ages 10 to 65 in N.C.

Suicide was the second leading cause of death in children and teenagers 10 to 18 in 2019 and the third leading cause of death in people 19 to 34, N.C. data shows. Data also shows people injured while attempting to kill themselves made up 11,000 emergency department visits and 3,000 hospital stays in 2020.

"We know that someone who is considering suicide thinks they have no other option, and this plan implements multiple effective strategies to reach them before that point," said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "The numbers of people considering suicide is staggering, and the COVID-19 pandemic made our challenge even greater. Behavioral health and resilience are one of our three priorities to recover stronger, and this coordinated effort will ensure that we make a difference in the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians."

Experts from multiple groups and departments, including nonprofits, health departments, county departments of social services, health and mental health providers and even parents will work together to increase access to treatment and support services for people struggling with mental health.

The effort will also guide education on the staff storage of weapons and medications while monitoring the pandemic's impact on metal health.

A new mental health hotline launched this year. All someone experiencing a mental health crisis will have to do is call or text 988. This number replaces a longer 1-800 number tied to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.