Mohave County residents have the fourth highest suicide rate in the state.
Per 100,000 population, Mohave County’s suicide rate is 33.6 — exceeded only by Apache, Navajo and Yavapai counties at 41.7, 37.5 and 33.7, respectively.
According to preliminary data from Arizona Department of Health Services, 1,593 people in Arizona died by suicide in 2022, the highest number ever recorded in Arizona’s history.
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and ADHS partnered on a public awareness campaign, Hope Always Answers, that promotes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Providing free services 24/7 via phone call, texts, or online chat to anyone in need, the hotline is a critical tool in helping to reduce the number of suicides in the state, said Sheila Sjolander, interim deputy director of Public Health Services at ADHS in a release.
People calling or texting 988 are connected to an Arizona-based behavioral health expert who can provide counseling and connect the caller with any needed services. The crisis line is also for anyone who knows someone who may be in crisis.
CJ Loiselle, deputy director of the Division of Grants and Innovation at AHCCCS, said, “988 is one of many resources in Arizona to help anyone experiencing a behavioral health issue. But what’s most important is that you make the call. The majority of issues are addressed over the phone, but other tools like mobile crisis teams are available when needed.”
In 2021, suicide prevention programming was moved from Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System to ADHS. The agency built on prevention efforts outlined in the 2021-2025 Arizona Health Improvement Plan Mental Wellbeing and Pandemic Recovery & Resiliency action plans to create the Arizona Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
The plan identifies major statewide suicide risk factors as including a low high school graduation rate, high incidence of Adverse Childhood Experiences and lack of access to rural primary and behavioral health care.
The plan identifies challenges facing Arizona relating to a lack of care providers statewide, navigating the significantly different environments of urban and rural populations, and large numbers of people who are at disproportionate risk for suicide, including veterans, older adults, and Native Americans.
Sjolander said the new crisis line is a critical tool in helping to reduce the number of suicides in our state.
AHCCCS also offers additional resources on its website, including national 24-hour crisis hotlines.
• National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• Arizona Statewide Crisis Hotline, by phone at 1-844-534-4673 (HOPE) or text 4HOPE (44673).
• Mohave County Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Care1st at 1-877-756-4090.
• For teens: Teen Life Line phone or text: 602-248-TEEN (8336).
• For veterans: 988 (press 1) and Be Connected, 1-866-4AZ-VETS (429-8387).
For the complete list, go online to www.azahcccs.gov/BehavioralHealth/crisis.html.