Oregon Suicide Rate Still High, But Improving

Oregon still has a higher than average suicide rate, but there are signs it’s getting less severe. 

The Centers for Disease Control says Oregon has the 13th highest suicide rate in the country for the most recent year available, 2020.  That’s an improvement from 9th the previous year.  833 people took their lives in Oregon in 2020. 

But Oregon has cut down the suicide rate for those 24 and younger by almost 14%. That could be a sign that programs, like the Oregon Behavioral Health Support Line, and Youth Save Training, are helping. 

A trouble spot remains.  Preliminary data for all ages show an increase in the number of suicides in 2021.