Skip to content
Main Menu
Utah Attorney General
Search
Attorney General
Sean D. Reyes
Utah Office of the Attorney General
Secondary Navigation

AG Reyes Urges Awareness for Suicide Prevention

Today, Attorney General Sean D. Reyes shared the following to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day

Loss of life due to suicide continues to be a heart-wrenching reality in communities across our state. Utah has the fifth highest rate of suicide deaths among the states and one of the fastest growing suicide rates in the nation. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Utah youth ages 10 to 17 and is 60% above the national average for all ages.

While Utah has made incredible strides over the past few years in addressing this crisis, the losses are still too high. Every life lost represents someone’s child, parent, spouse, partner, friend or colleague. We cannot ignore the impact on our homes, our schools, and our futures.

Today on World Suicide Prevention Day, we remember loved ones who have died by suicide and express our support for those whose lives have been impacted by these tragedies. We also reaffirm our commitment to do whatever we can to provide the necessary resources to help those in need.

I encourage all Utahns to think of those around us who may be struggling and take a moment today to reach out, listen, and show you care. By doing so, we help bring suicide out of the shadows and help eliminate the stigma attached to mental and behavioral health challenges.

If you or someone you know is depressed, bullied, a victim of any abuse or other crime or experiencing a traumatic, life-altering event, these circumstances can lead to thoughts of suicide. Please seek assistance for them or yourself. The 24-Hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is a tremendous resource. There are people who care and want to help.

Please encourage your children and local schools to download and use the SafeUT app. The app allows access to immediate professional attention for thoughts of suicide or other serious mental or behavioral health issues. SafeUT has saved numerous lives already. Feel free to contact the Utah AG’s Office for more information about SafeUT or other resources available in your local community.

Suicide is preventable. The sooner we find out the root cause of pain and eliminate shame and judgment from the equation, the more successful we will be. We need to be honest about things that can make life seem not worth living. Together we can make a difference and save lives.