Portland Suicide Rate Triple National Average

Maybe it will go down when the Blazers make the playoffs again...

http://www.kgw.com/news/Suicide-1-killer-in-Portland--225897781.html

PORTLAND -- A new study by the Police Bureau's Behavioral Health Unit showed 202 people committed suicide in Portland between April, 2011 and June, 2012.

That's nearly double the number of homicides and traffic fatalities in Portland, combined, during that same time period.

It’s also nearly triple the national average.

"The number of people committing suicide in our area is appalling," said Portland Police Chief Mike Reese.

Reese said the numbers were important and underline the need to continue strengthening the bureau's Behavioral Health Unit.

The study also shattered some assumptions about suicide, like the time of year when they happen the most.

"The most suicides averaged out to be in the summer months," said Frank Silva, crime analyst with the bureau's Behavioral Health Unit and author of the study.

"I thought it was going to be winter or fall because of the weather," said Silva. "I don't know why it's happening. I think that's the next step."

Officer Bill Ollenbrook has responded to dozens of suicide calls in his twenty years with the Police Bureau.

"In those instances when it's clear to you this person's intent on ending their life, it's heart wrenching," said Ollenbrook, who added that sometimes the experience can be frightening.

"You probably don't think of cops being scared, but it's a scary situation," said Ollenbrook. "You're afraid [the suicidal person] will end their life but also fearing that they'll pull the police into it and use police to end their lives."

In addition to the suicide analysis, police produced a new suicide prevention video. It shows video rewinding from a close-up of the Willamette River to the top of a bridge and eventually to someone calling a crisis hotline. The caption asks, "What if you could turn back to clock?"

Chief Reese said he hopes it encourages people in Portland to ask another question.

"Have the courage to say, 'Can I help you?'" Said Reese. "You could save their life."

 

No job growth
Shitty weather 9 months of the year

Not really that shocking

 

The no job growth is pretty much national so that just leaves the weather. Most native Oregonians can handle their shit so I'd say they're LA transplants... Either that or cops are shooting people and writing down "suicide by cop."

 

I thought it was too many Californians and *unbelievably offensive remark deleted*.

 

That was naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasty.

 

I could understand SLC (Mormon thing that I don't care to get into) but not Dallas.

 

LA is the land of fakers. I get that one.

 

I knew changing the name of the Rose Garden was a bad idea...

 

Maybe there are different reasons in those areas?

IMO, and IMO only, I believe those factors are why Portland's rate is so high. Instead of being do fucking combative all the time, offer up a suggestion of why you believe it to be so high.

Hopefully I didn't offend anyone so my post gets edited for no fucking reason

 

Were I to guess why suicides in LA, I might think of the economy and what people lost. LA is an area (I think) of high homeownership and cost of living. When the economy was destroyed (and the continuing destruction) my guess is that so many people lost so much they opted out of life.

 

So still no theories, just arguing. Good for you. Stay with what you know

 

I think weather plays a factor in Portland due to all the gray skies and rain, bit not in other areas. They have their own issues.

 

NPR stated that 70% of suicides in Portland are by white males. I believe the average age is in the 40s, but I have no data on that specific point.

 

I wonder if the fact that Oregon was doctor assisted suicide is part of the high numbers.

I can understand why Vegas would be so high. Lot's of people loose their ass there, and probably don't want to face the music when they get back home.

Go Blazers