The suicide rate in Butte County has been declining for the past ten years, but is still 59% higher than the state average.
The numbers have officials concerned. This month Butte County Department of Behavioral Health launched an awareness campaign about the issue.
The average rate of suicide in California is about 10 per 100,000 residents. In Butte County it’s about 16 per 100,000 residents, according to the county’s 2023 Community Health Assessment.
The numbers aren’t surprising to Anjeanette Andrade, program coordinator for Butte County’s Suicide Prevention Program.
“A lot of the Northern California counties typically have larger suicide rates in comparison to the California suicide rate,” Andrade said.
There’s a potential pattern to why there’s an imbalance, she said.
“From the data, it does show that firearm suicide is the most common method, so there is a higher firearm ownership in a lot of Northern California counties, and so that could contribute to the suicide rates,” Andrade said. “We also have higher suicide rates among older adults, and we do have a higher older adult population in Butte County.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rural areas are often at higher risk for suicide than urban residents.
Andrade advised that if you’re thinking about suicide to get in touch with loved ones.
“Don't be afraid to reach out to others because you are not alone,” Andrade said. “There is always someone there that you can lean on to get the support that you need.”
If you want to talk to someone but don’t know who to call, there are numbers you can call for support. The Friendship Line is a crisis intervention hotline, as well as an emotional support line. It’s available at 888-670-1360.
“Everyone has a role in suicide prevention,” Andrade said. “I think just taking those steps to learn what [resources there] are can help guide a person and help them seek help.”
Butte County has local suicide prevention resources.
If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
