"For example, as is well known, these states are generally much more rural than the eastern U.S., where suicide rates are relatively low," he noted. "And in rural and remote areas, there is great distance between a person in psychological trouble and a resource that could intervene: a caregiver, agency, crisis center. Therefore, there is in general going to be less help-seeking and help-receiving."
"Also, white males in particular are at a greater risk for suicide, and these states have low proportions of blacks relative to whites and native Americans, both of which have higher rates of suicide," Berman added.
"So there are a whole number of variables associated with the western or intermountain states where these suicide rates are high," he said. "And those variables may better explain the association than altitude, per se."
More information
For more on suicide risk, visit the National Institute of Mental Health.
SOURCES: Perry F. Renshaw, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, Utah School of Medicine, and investigator, Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) initiative; Alan L. Berman, Ph.D, executive director, American Association of Suicidology, Washington, D.C.; Sept. 15, 2010, online American Journal of Psychiatry
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