Arizona suicide rates continue to rise; Resources available in Sun City
(Submitted Photo/Metro Creative Graphics)
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By Zev Black and Matt Loeschman
Suicide rates in both Arizona and Maricopa County continue to rise despite myriad efforts to reverse the trend.
Data indicate Arizona’s suicide rate has risen steadily in recent years, with the overall rate in 2023 reaching approximately 19.22 deaths per 100,000 people — surpassing the national average, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition for the latest year of data available.
The increase reflects a broader trend seen during the past decade, with health officials warning that without sustained intervention, the numbers may continue to climb.
In 2023, Arizona recorded 1,492 deaths by suicide. Demographic data shows that suicide does not affect all groups equally. There are wide disparities among genders.
Adults aged 45 to 64 experience the highest rates, though sharp increases have also been observed among adults aged 25 to 34.
“I think we’ve definitely seen in the last decade or so a more of an increase in the middle age suicide,” Konrad Robichaud, director of the behavioral health unit at Banner Health, said. “We’re also seeing an aging population that is taking care of family members.”
Banner Health has Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for individuals struggling with mental health issues. These sessions typically last eight weeks, with sessions held three times per week for three hours each.
Robichaud also pointed to the relationship between substance use and mental health.
“When you look at suicide rates, it’s often in combination with substance and alcohol use,” he said. “When you put that together, you increase the risk of anxiety disorder.”
Veterans represent another high-risk group. Between 2012 and 2022, veterans in Arizona were found to be more than twice as likely to die by suicide as non-veterans, underscoring ongoing challenges tied to mental health, reintegration and access to care.
Tionna Hugley, associate director of behavioral health services at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd., said increased isolation, little motivation, changes in mood, an increase in life stressors and making passive suicidal statements can be indicators that someone needs professional help.
She added that it can be difficult to actually get the help people need.
“One thing I’ve noticed with patients is that they’ve been experiencing depression and anxiety but aren’t being honest,” she said. “It’s okay to seek help.”
Robichaud followed up by saying people tend to use the word downplay a lot. He said that it’s important to seek help sooner rather than later because the care tends to be more valuable.
Once the IOP is complete, Banner’s goal is to ensure that patients have discharge appointments within seven days. Having a family member who is willing and able to go along with the journey is important to feeling better, Hugley said.
She added that people will come back to Banner after care is completed. When this happens her team looks at why they’re coming back and what staff did during that last time that didn’t work.
The discussion comes as broader data show concerning trends in suicide rates outside the Phoenix metro area. ASPC data show suicide rates higher outside the Valley.
In 2022, suicide rates in Arizona’s rural counties were nearly double those in urban areas, reflecting disparities in health care access, economic conditions and social isolation. Public health officials believe addressing these gaps — particularly in rural communities — will be key to reversing the state’s upward trend.
On a county level, suicide deaths have also trended upward during the past decade, according to www.maricopa.gov.
In 2014, Maricopa County recorded 617 deaths, a rate of 15.6 per 100,000 residents. The following years saw steady increases, reaching 674 deaths (16.5 rate) by 2016.
Although there was a slight dip in 2017 to 660 deaths, the overall trajectory remained concerning.
By 2018 and 2019, suicide deaths climbed sharply to 728 and 730 respectively, with rates nearing or exceeding 17 per 100,000.
This marked a period of heightened concern among public health officials.
In 2020, deaths declined slightly to 709 (16.1 rate), potentially reflecting early-pandemic disruptions, but this decrease proved temporary.
From 2021 onward, the upward trend resumed. Suicide deaths in the county rose to 734 in 2021 and continued climbing to 783 in 2022 — the highest level in the dataset, with a rate of 17.7.
In 2023, the total remained nearly unchanged at 784 deaths, though the rate dipped slightly to 17.5.
Help is available. Among the efforts to reduce suicide in Arizona are:
• The 988 crisis hotline — offering 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors from the Arizona Department of Health Services who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance-related and/or mental health crises or any other emotional distress.
• Teen Lifeline — a 24/7 peer counseling hotline for young people.
• ASPC — a dedicated community-based organization committed to preventing suicide and promoting mental health and well-being throughout Arizona.
• The Mitch Warnock Act — mandating suicide prevention training for staff interacting with students in grades 6-12.
• “Cade’s Law” — expands the state’s manslaughter law to prosecute adults who encourage minors online to take their own lives.
• Suicide Mortality Review Board — Maricopa County operates the SMRB to analyze data and improve suicide prevention strategies.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988.
Reporter Zev Black can be reached at zblack@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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