COVID-19: States, the CDC and Suicide Prevention | Episode 97
This podcast is another in a series NCSL is producing to focus on how states are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. You can find links to podcasts, webinars and other resources at www.ncsl.org/coronavirus.
Our topic for this podcast is a sobering one: suicide. The rate of suicide in the U.S. is one of the highest among wealthy nations. Nearly 50,000 people took their own lives in the U.S. in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased concern among experts that the nation may face an increase in suicides as people struggle during the crisis.
Our first guest today is Charlie Severance-Medaris, a policy expert on the topic at NCSL. Charlie provides an overview on suicide in the U.S. Our second guest is Dr. Alex Crosby, chief medical officer in the Division of Injury Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has expertise and long experience in dealing with the public health aspects of suicide and suicide prevention.
Resources
- As High-Profile Deaths Stir Discussion, CDC Outlines Rising Suicide Rates and Prevention Strategies | Blog
- CDC Center for Injury Prevention and Control
- Coronavirus Resources for States Page
- Coronavirus and State Legislatures in the News
- Suicide Prevention Convening Meeting | Agenda and Presentations
- Transcription of OAS Episode 97
