In 2021, North Carolina lost 1,448 lives to suicide. [1]
Both the total number and the rate of suicides have increased in North Carolina over time. The total number of suicides in the state increased by more than 40% from 2004 to 2020, while the rate per 100,000 residents grew by more than 10%.[2] The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated challenges with mental health and increased risks of suicide in communities, with disruption to people’s lives and routines, as well as increased feelings of disconnection and isolation.
This issue spans demographic groups, geographies, and other categories. Many significant populations in North Carolina find themselves at elevated risk of suicide.
More than 1 in 10
North Carolina high school students reported attempting suicide in 2021, with even higher rates for students who identify as female (23%), Black (14%), American Indian/Alaska Native (16%), and LGBTQ+ (22%).
Urban Vs. Rural
North Carolina’s rural residents had a suicide rate 1.2 times higher than their urban counterparts in 2020
Veterans in North Carolina
have an average suicide rate 2.5 times higher than non-veterans, accounting for nearly 20% of all suicide deaths in the state between 2015 and 2019.
Suicide Rates: Age group by sex, 2019
The number or rate of suicides cannot tell the full story. For each individual who dies by suicide, many more consider suicide, attempt it, or receive medical care for self-harm. And each death by suicide leaves a lasting impact on loved ones, friends, and community members. As many as 135 people may be affected by each individual suicide.[3]
Our communities face an enormous challenge as mental health and suicide worsen in our state. The impacts are evident not only in therapists’ offices and doctors’ examination rooms but also in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and our community institutions. Addressing this challenge will require a coordinated effort across our communities to understand who is most vulnerable and why, align resources and services to increase the accessibility and quality of supports available, and overcome stigma and other factors that make it difficult for people to seek help and for communities to respond.
Program Basics
Carolina Across 100 seeks applications from communities that are interested in working across sectors to prevent suicides and improve mental and behavioral health in the state. Teams will build collaboratives within their communities and benefit from peer learning with each other to better understand the context and impacts of suicide and related issues, as well as design and implement strategies to respond effectively. Communities that wish to apply for the program must submit an online application by July 28.
Participating communities will receive these benefits
Community Selection
A panel of Carolina Across 100 representatives will select 10-12 communities to participate in the 12-month program. Communities may apply as individual county teams, a municipal-county partnership, or a multi-county collaborative. Communities will be selected based on the following criteria:
Team Formation
After selection for the program, the core team identified in the application will identify the full community team (local collaborative). Given the differences among communities, the composition of the teams will vary and the ncIMPACT Initiative will support stakeholder identification. However, we expect that each collaborative will include a diverse set of sectoral stakeholders, all committed to active participation in the program.
Commitments
Each community collaborative must be prepared to meet monthly over the course of the program to develop and implement a cogent strategy that (1) leverages existing assets and activities, (2) increases the availability, quality, and alignment of community resources for suicide prevention and mental and behavioral health, and (3) addresses barriers to access for supports and interventions, especially for higher-risk subpopulations.
Doing More, Together
Suicide is a shared problem, touching every community in our state. By partnering on prevention, we can build on the data, tools, and resources available to help communities strengthen their local response. Help your community get involved.
