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Youth Suicide Prevention

Current Work

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is working with partners to build out the strategic pathways in Oregon's suicide prevention framework. 

Learn more about priority work for 2024 and read detailed updates on the 2023 YSIPP initiatives.

Oregon's Data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released finalized data for 2022. The data show:
  • An increase in age 24 and younger youth suicides in Oregon in 2022. This is the first increase since 2018. Preliminary data show that youth suicide rates will be similar in 2023.
  • In 2022, 109 Oregon youths died by suicide, compared to 95 in 2021. Despite this increase between 2021 and 2022, the three-year trend for youth suicide is still trending down from the peak in 2018 when 129 youths died by suicide.
  • Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among people ages five to 24.
  • There continue to be racial disparities in the data. Specifically, deaths by suicide for youth identified as white have decreased overall since 2018. However, the number of suicides for youth of other races and ethnicities remained similar to 2018 levels or increased.
  • The national rate for youth suicide decreased in 2022. The 2022 data show that Oregon had the 12th highest youth suicide rate in the United States.
  • Oregon's rate of youth suicide in 2022 was 14.2 per 100,000. In 2018, Oregon's rate was 16.9 per 100,000. This remains above the national average (10.0 per 100,000).
  • Preliminary data for 2023* indicate that Oregon will not see an additional increase in youth suicide rates.
  • There is more work to do to ensure our progress in past years is not lost, as the risk of youth suicide continues to be a concern in Oregon.

Starting in 2014, and with additional investment in 2019, the Oregon Legislature commissioned the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to:​

For a brief history and summary of suicide prevention laws in Oregon, please visit the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide’s legislative summary page.​

​

​In 2019, the rate of youth suicide in Oregon decreased from the prior year for the first time since 2015. Oregon is now experiencing its first three-year decrease in youth suicide fatalities since 2001. 

To learn more about Oregon's progress meeting the goals of the YSIPP, read OHA's Youth Suicide Annual Reports:

Senate Bill 561 (2015) requires Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) as defined in ORS 430.630 to do the following when suicides occur in youth (age 24 years or younger):

  • Work with partners to develop plans for information-sharing and response;
  • Prepare communities to respond in a way that reduces the risk of more suicide (contagion) among friends, loved ones or peers left behind after the death; and 
  • Report deaths to OHA within 7 days of death. OHA can  then provide technical assistance on best practices in responding to suicides and reducing contagion risks.

Resources



​A competent and confident behavioral and physical health care workforce can ensure:

  • Early identification of suicide risk and 
  • Use of evidence-informed strategies to address the needs of suicidal individuals. 

60 to 70 percent of individuals who die by suicide see a medical or behavioral health care professional in the year before death.

Senate Bill 48 (2017) was designed to support the behavioral and physical healthcare workforce. It does this by promoting continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment and management.

OHA has compiled a list of continuing education courses for consideration. 

  • OHA does not endorse or approve these courses.
  • Licensees should contact their licensing boards (listed below) to determine if a class meets their board’s criteria for approved continuing education credits.

Reporting​ requirements

SB 48 requires providers licensed by the following agencies to report any suicide assessment, treatment and management continuing education they’ve taken.

The Oregon Medical Board and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission survey their providers. OHA surveys providers licensed by other boards at re-licensure as part of the Health Care Workforce Reporting program. OHA compiles and reports this information to the Oregon legislature each even-numbered year.

Continuing educati​on requirements effective July 1, 2022

Starting July 1, 2022, House Bill 2315 (2021) requires providers in the behavioral healthcare workforce to complete continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment and management for relicensure.  Oregon Administrative Rules and an implementation plan are currently under development.​

HB 2315 requires 2 hours every two years or 3 hours every three years of continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment and management for the following license categories:

  • A clinical social worker, as defined in ORS 675.510;
  • A regulated social worker, as defined in ORS 675.510;
  • A licensed marriage and family therapist, as defined in ORS 675.705;
  • A licensed psychologist, as defined in ORS 675.010;
  • A licensed professional counselor, as defined in ORS 675.705;
  • A school counselor, as defined by rule by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission;
  • A qualified mental health associate;
  • A qualified mental health professional;
  • A certified alcohol and drug counselor;
  • A prevention specialist;
  • A problem gambling treatment provider;
  • A recovery mentor;
  • A community health worker;
  • A personal health navigator;
  • A personal support specialist;
  • A peer wellness specialist;
  • A doula;
  • A family support specialist;
  • A youth support specialist; and
  • A peer support specialist.

Links

Link
  
Emergency Department Discharge Practices Report
House Bill 3139 (2021) Resources for Providers, Youth and Trusted Adults
If you go to the emergency room - Advocating for your loved one during a crisis (English)
If you go to the emergency room - Advocating for your loved one during a crisis (Spanish)
OAR 309-027 Youth Suicide Communication and Post Intervention Plan
Public Health Youth Suicide Prevention
SB 48 (2017) Biennial Report - Youth Suicide Prevention Workforce Development
Statewide Youth Suicide Prevention Programs (Spanish)
Statewide Youth Suicide Prevention Programs (English)
Suicide Prevention Resource Center - Schools

Resources

URL
  
Call to Action Fall 2023 - Youth Suicide Prevention for Schools
Call to Action Spring 2024 – Youth Suicide Prevention for Schools
SB 48 Continuing Education Courses (2023)
Youth Suicide Death Reporting Form

Contact

Page Info

​Jill Baker
Youth Suicide Prevention Policy Coordinator
503-339-6264

she/her/hers

Shanda Hochstetler
Youth Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator​

503-890-3575

she/her/hers