According to the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Nevadans ages 10-34. 

Now, let’s briefly take a closer look at the data and trends to gain a better understanding of where we are and where we’ve been… According to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health’s 2021-23 Nevada High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), among Nevada high-school students:

• 21% seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023 vs 22.4% in 2021;
• 19.8% made a suicide plan in 2023 vs 21.6% in 2021;
• 11.1% attempted suicide in 2023 vs 12.3% in 2021;
• 46.2% felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row during the prior twelve months in 2023 vs 42.4% in 2021; 
• 56.9% never/rarely got the kind of help they needed when they felt sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious in 2023 vs 62.2% in 2021. 

So it appears that Nevada high school students are doing slightly better in most categories after the pandemic, but there is still tremendous room for improvement. It’s also extremely important to note that 2023 numbers are worse than 2019 YRBS numbers which were worse than 2010 numbers, so the broader trendline is not a positive one, excluding post-pandemic improvements. 

Are certain populations or demographic groups at higher risk for suicide?

There is no single risk factor for suicide. However, due to numerous, complex factors, certain demographic groups have higher suicide rates than others:

• Native Americans - Amongst racial/ethnic groups, Native Americans have the highest suicide rate, 36.3 per 100,000. (source)  
• LGBTQ+ - ​​41% of LGBTQ+ teens seriously considered suicide, 32% made a plan, and 20% attempted suicide—figures significantly higher than those for their cisgender, heterosexual peers (13%, 11%, and 6%, respectively). (source)
• Females - Females present a higher suicide risk than males (30% females had ideation vs. 14% of boys; 13% attempted vs. 7% of boys). (source)
• Rural youth - Suicide rates in rural areas are nearly twice as high as in urban areas. (source)
• Other - Victims of bullying, physical or sexual abuse, and/or neglect are much more likely to commit suicide. Other risk factors in youth include recently experiencing a trauma such as the death of a parent(s) or divorce, mental health disorders such as depression, and/or chronic substance use disorders. 

What can Nevada clinicians do to help prevent suicide and reduce suicide rates?

Learn, act upon, and spread the word about the following: 

1. Know that suicide is preventable. 

First, it’s important to know that suicide is preventable. Reducing suicide rates is a community- and society-wide effort, not something that can be handled by a single person, agency, or organization. 

2. Utilize and encourage lethal-means safety. 

About 50% of suicides are carried out via firearms. Overdoses on medications from within the home are another common method of suicide. Therefore, not having guns in the home, using gun safes if guns are present, and locking away medications are measures that can help prevent suicides.  

3. Universal screening + follow-on assessment if needed.

As the Blueprint for Suicide Prevention jointly produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states, “Identifying youth at risk of suicide requires both screening and assessment. These are two distinct parts of the suicide prevention process. Both are necessary.” 

If you are a Nevada PCP, we recommend that you annually screen *all patients ages 12+ years for suicide risk during preventive service visits, using a validated suicide risk screening tool such as the NIMH’s Suicide Risk Screening Tool provided as part of their ASQ toolkit. 

If a patient reports suicidal ideation or presents a risk via the screening, PCPs can immediately call or text NVPAL for assistance (once they’ve registered for our services). From there, we may recommend a video consult to help assess and guide treatment decisions. We also provide referrals to care — whether it’s psychotherapy, psychiatry, group therapy, or other treatment options best suited to the patient’s needs. 

(Click here for a deeper dive into NVPAL’s suicide screening guidelines for primary care physicians.)

Although NVPAL should NOT be utilized as an emergency rapid response resource, please know that we are your partner in youth suicide prevention—and that we are a resource that any PCP anywhere in Nevada can utilize for FREE on behalf of at-risk patients. 

4. Build and promote connectedness and community. 

Strong connections to family, school, and community are among the most powerful protective factors against suicide. Teens who feel supported by parents, engaged at school, and connected to others have much lower rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. 

For example, a CDC analysis found that high school students with a high sense of school connectedness (feeling cared for and belonging at school) had significantly lower prevalence of suicide attempts. Cultivating trusting relationships, open communication, and a positive school climate can foster individual and community-wide resilience. (Source)

5. Be on the lookout for signs of suicidal intent. 

As the Jason Foundation notes, 4 out of 5 individuals considering suicide give verbal or behavioral signs indicating their intention to commit suicide. These signs may include:

1. Suicide threats via direct or indirect statements (examples: “I’d be better off dead” or “I hate my life”) 
2. Previous suicide attempts
3. Preoccupation or obsession with death or suicide
4. Depression
5. Making final arrangements 

If you think a child is at risk of suicide, be proactive. Have a conversation then seek (or provide) professional help if necessary. (If you’re a clinician, see #3 above.)

Rapid Response Resource

Be sure that your patients are aware that there is always someone they can reach out to if they need immediate help when they’re alone and experiencing suicidal ideation or an acute mental health crisis. The best rapid response pathway in this circumstance is 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org).

In addition to verbally communicating the 988 resource to patients, also consider embedding 988 information in your EHR discharge instructions and after-visit summaries. Doing so can save a life.   

Together, we can reduce Nevada’s youth suicide rates! Please share this information widely and reach out to us if you have questions or need help. 

Additional Resource: Another excellent resource we’d like to share is SAMHSA’s 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit, which is full of helpful ideas, resources, graphics, and promotional materials to spread the word about suicide prevention.