Suicide Rates by State

Note the areas in dark red. The darker red areas denote the states with the highest suicide rates. The number label each state is given is their respective suicide rank in the nation. The inter mountain West and Alaska account for nine out of the ten states with the highest suicide rates. When compared to the map below, it is clear that most of the states share the same shade of dark red in each map. While the information below attempts to answer why citizens of these states commit suicide at a higher rate than the rest of the nation, it does label which type of suicide is most prevalent in these states. The majority of the suicides that occur in the West result from a lack of social integration and a lack of resources and regulations. Thus, these suicides can be classified as egoistic and anomic suicides.

Narrowing Root Factors

Most of the west is known for its solitude and lack of general regulations. While many people think this situation would be a paradise, it has proved to be just the opposite. The lack of major cities and industries has created a struggling economy in most of the Mountain West. One's socioeconomic situation has proven to be one of the largest factors that influence suicide. Other states outside the West with lower than average median income rates, such as Kentucky and West Virginia, also have higher suicide rates. Higher suicide rates could result from lower income due to the fact that American largely judge their own self worth by how "successful" they are. And in America, success usually is associated with dollar signs. If people realize they are in a situation where their geographic location hinders their success, then they very well may believe they are in a dead end and hopeless situation and may decide to give up rather than fight the system.

Socioeconomic situations also directly affect one's ability to obtain medical and professional help. Availability of these luxuries has been labeled a potential factor of suicide. However, if a geographic region has a lower socioeconomic status, then generally they will have a lower chance of obtained sufficient healthcare, which could potentially increase suicide rates.

Ultimately, it appears as if the largest contributing factor to suicide in the West is the poor socioeconomic conditions. As previously mentioned, there are numerous factors that contribute to suicide, however the prevailing poor socioeconomic status of the Inter Mountain West be the chief factor.