CONNECT is here to help

Suicide was the 9th leading cause of death in South Dakota, but the 2nd leading cause among ages 15-34 in 2019. With 168 suicides in 2018, South Dakota had the 19th highest rate in the United States. The rate was 19 per 100,000 population in SD compared to 14.8 per 100,000 nationally.

In 2019, SD had an even higher number of suicides with 185. Males have an overwhelmingly higher rate at 78% compared to 22% female, and American Indians had a 2.4 times higher rate in South Dakota than whites for the period of 2010-2019.

In South Dakota, 50% of suicides are committed by firearms, 35% by hanging, 11% by poisoning, and 4% by other methods.

Governor Noem has declared September as Suicide Prevention Month, and CONNECT Community Task Force is on the job to help with that effort in Gregory County.

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