COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--The Ohio Department of Health says suicide rates among Ohioans are on the rise.
According to numbers from 2007 to 2018, the rate increased by 45% in Ohio, with the highest rate among adults aged 45-64.
Males have nearly four-times the suicide rate over females in the statistics.
ODH Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH, says “Suicide is the leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10‐14 and the second leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 15-34.”
Signs of someone who is considering suicide include a major change in mood, high-risk behaviors like alcohol use, problems with concentration or energy level, and a feeling of hopelessness.
Governor Mike DeWine has created the RecoveryOhio initiative to tackle the issue. The National Suicide prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.