Suicides rising in Missouri and nationwide, spring can bring mental crises

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show suicide deaths have been gradually increasing since 2020, with a rise in March each year.

Burrell Behavioral Health said the spring can bring about its own mental health crises, with such a thing as reverse seasonal affective disorder. This can be caused by an increase in large social events such as graduations and weddings, an increase in allergies, comparison on social media and daylight saving time.

Burrell's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Garima Singh said the lack of sleep can cause people to be irritable, aggressive, tired and create a lack of motivation and interest.

"It just feels like only a loss of one hour, it affects 60-70% of the sleep cycle," Singh said.

The CDC says 28,845 people died by suicide in the first seven months of 2023. Nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide in the entire year of 2022.

The data shows nationally, 4,137 people died in March of 2023 compared to 3,759 in February.

On the state level, 107 Missourians died by suicide in March of 2023, compared to 74 in February, according to data from the State Department of Mental Health.

Data from Burrell Behavioral Health show that in March 2023 there were 314 crisis calls to the Missouri 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and 1,066 crisis calls to Burrell's 800 crisis line.

"We are now looking at 30-40% of individuals struggling with depression and anxiety, which directly correlates with the impact on the suicide rate," Singh said.

In Missouri, suicide rates have increased by 26% since 2012, according to the Missouri Suicide Prevention Network. State suicide rates are consistently higher than the nationwide rate.

In 2022, suicide was the second leading cause of death for young adults, ages 18-34.

A survey says 25% of college students had serious thoughts about suicide in 2022, with the top three barriers to seeking help including people thinking resources don't work, feeling shameful or being afraid people will judge them.

Most suicides involve males, with the amount of male suicides being about four times higher than that of females.

Missouri Mom Kristie Morton lost her son to suicide at the age of 14. She is now the founder and president of You Matter Archie, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention.

"Especially with men and young boys, we're told that they need to be tough and don't cry, a 'you're not made to do that' type thing," Morton said. "We've got to learn to show our emotions, we've got to learn to talk about it."

She said parents need to check in on how their children are doing.

"It's just investing in your own children and then making sure that they're okay," Morton said. "You know how they work, you've been there since day one."

Warning signs of suicide include talking about suicide, talking about feeling trapped or hopeless, increasing substance abuse, changes in sleep patterns or a change in behaviors such as withdrawing from social connections or hobbies.

"If you just don't see yourself doing things which you used to enjoy, whether it's music, it's art, it's crafts, it's hanging out with friends, that's a warning sign," Singh said. "That's something you need to seek support."

Singh said if anyone is questioning if they should be seeking help, that is a sign that they should.

She said some ways people can help themselves mentally this spring include taking walks outside and keeping a normal sleep cycle.

Missouri veteran suicide rates are also two times higher than that of the general U.S. population, with most being young veterans.

Rural suicide rates are higher than those in urban areas in the state.

Anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 to speak with a licensed professional.