Latest news with #BrookeCunningham
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Higher suicide risk for men and indigenous peoples in Minnesota
Higher suicide risk for men and indigenous peoples in Minnesota Show Caption Hide Caption Ask, listen and help: Keys to stopping suicide Nearly 400 people packed an Oxnard College theater for a suicide prevention forum. Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star Minnesota's estimated suicide rate remained at 13.9 per 100,000 in 2024, unchanged from 2023. While the rate held steady, it represents a 50% increase since 2000 and reflects concerning national trends. Men, people in their 50s and 80s, and Indigenous Minnesotans remain at higher risk. Minnesota's suicide rate held steady between 2023 and 2024, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Health. The 813 estimated suicides in the state last year work out to an age-adjusted rate of 13.9 per 100,000. Death statistics are typically reported in age-adjusted terms to account for how the age composition of a population changes over time. The long-term trend is one of steady increase. Since 2000, Minnesota's suicide rate has increased by roughly 50%.The pattern is similar nationally. Suicide is closely linked to some mental health conditions, as well as substance use and gambling disorders, both of which have been increasing. Economic uncertainty, chronic illness, easy access to guns, fraying social ties and other factors also play a role. 'The overall increase in deaths by suicide over the last couple of decades continues to be concerning,' said Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham. 'Every death by suicide is a tragedy and can have an ongoing impact on families and communities.' The demographic picture is similar to prior years: Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women. People in their 50s and in their 80s are more likely to die of suicide than those in other age groups. Indigenous Minnesotans have the highest suicide rates, followed by white, Black, Hispanic and Asian Minnesotans. More: 40-unit St. Cloud housing proposal aims to help those facing mental health, homelessness The suicide rate in the state's rural areas is about twice as high as in the Twin Cities, and previous research has found that the increase is happening faster in rural areas than in other places. Lack of access to mental health services is one major contributor. Easy access to guns also plays a role in the elevated rural suicide numbers, and deaths involving those guns are increasing: Firearms were the mechanism in 43% of Minnesota suicide deaths in 2019, and in 51% of those deaths in 2024. MDH officials are also keeping an eye on how draconian cuts to federal spending could impact the suicide rate and efforts to reduce it. President Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the White House has cut funding for the substance abuse and mental health services as well. More: Tri-County Humane Society's stray reclaim rate is more than double the national average The administration has also proposed cuts to the funding for some 988 suicide prevention hotline services. Preliminary data shows that the state's 988 responders answered more than 90,000 contacts in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year, according to MDH. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, 988's caring counselors are here for you. Call or text 988, Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME to 741741. Talk to trained counselors who care, 24/7/365 If you or a loved one is at imminent risk, please contact 9-1-1 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer. • Phone: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-784-2433 – Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line • TTY: 1-800-799-4889 Crisis Textline • Text: MN to 741741 Adult Mental Health Crisis Response Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Suicide rate levels off in 2024
Suicide rates are lower in the Twin Cities than elsewhere in the state. Photo by Getty Images. Minnesota's suicide rate held steady between 2023 and 2024, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Health. The 813 estimated suicides in the state last year work out to an age-adjusted rate of 13.9 per 100,000. Death statistics are typically reported in age-adjusted terms to account for how the age composition of a population changes over time. The long-term trend is one of steady increase. Since 2000, Minnesota's suicide rate has increased by roughly 50%. The pattern is similar nationally. Suicide is closely linked to some mental health conditions, as well as substance use and gambling disorders, both of which have been increasing. Economic uncertainty, chronic illness, easy access to guns, fraying social ties and other factors also play a role. 'The overall increase in deaths by suicide over the last couple of decades continues to be concerning,' said Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham. 'Every death by suicide is a tragedy and can have an ongoing impact on families and communities.' The demographic picture is similar to prior years: Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women. People in their 50s and in their 80s are more likely to die of suicide than those in other age groups. Indigenous Minnesotans have the highest suicide rates, followed by white, Black, Hispanic and Asian Minnesotans. The suicide rate in the state's rural areas is about twice as high as in the Twin Cities, and previous research has found that the increase is happening faster in rural areas than in other places. Lack of access to mental health services is one major contributor. Easy access to guns also plays a role in the elevated rural suicide numbers, and deaths involving those guns are increasing: Firearms were the mechanism in 43% of Minnesota suicide deaths in 2019, and in 51% of those deaths in 2024. MDH officials are also keeping an eye on how draconian cuts to federal spending could impact the suicide rate and efforts to reduce it. President Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the White House has cut funding for the substance abuse and mental health services as well. The administration has also proposed cuts to the funding for some 988 suicide prevention hotline services. Preliminary data shows that the state's 988 responders answered more than 90,000 contacts in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year, according to MDH.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Minnesota suicides remain stable for second year after 2022 peak
After trending upward for two decades, hitting a record high in 2022, suicide deaths in Minnesota have remained flat for the past two years, state health officials say. According to preliminary data, the number of Minnesota suicides in 2024 — 813 — was the same as in 2023, ending a 20-year upward trend. This marks two years of suicides below the state high set in 2022, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Until 2023, 'deaths by suicide in Minnesota have been trending up for the past 20 years with some slight fluctuations each year, mirroring patterns' across the country. 'The overall increase in deaths by suicide over the last couple of decades continues to be concerning,' Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham said in a statement. 'Every death by suicide is a tragedy and can have an ongoing impact on families and communities. Our aim is to help make sure people know suicide is preventable and recovery is possible.' Some key points in the 2024 data: • The suicide rate in entirely rural counties was twice that of Twin Cities metro counties. State health officials say contributing factors that make rural residents more at risk could include higher rates of firearm ownership, less access to health and mental health care, and higher poverty rates. • More males died by suicide than females, with males making up nearly 80% of the deaths. • Nearly 51% of the deaths were caused by firearms, a higher percentage than in recent years. State officials are 'closely watching initial proposed federal funding cuts that could significantly undermine this work to protect Minnesotans. Specifically, it calls for the elimination of both the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at CDC and key SAMHSA Mental Health Programs, as well as possible cuts to some 988 funding.' If you need immediate emotional or mental health support, or are worried about someone else, call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at to connect with a trained specialist. What the EPA's partial rollback of the 'forever chemical' drinking water rule means Trump surgeon general pick praised unproven psychedelic therapy, said mushrooms helped her find love EPA announces rollback for some Biden-era limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water UnitedHealth CEO Witty resigns amid setbacks UnitedHealth Group CEO steps down as company lowers, then withdraws financial outlook for 2025
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Minnesota Department of Health delays layoffs following federal court order
Apr. 15—ST. PAUL — Layoffs at the Minnesota Department of Health are delayed as the result of a temporary restraining order in a federal court case. On April 1, the state health department sent layoff notices to 170 employees, about 10% of its workforce, after the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pulled $11 billion in grants to public health agencies across the country — including $226 million from MDH — in late March. Shortly after the funding was pulled, 23 states, including Minnesota, and the District of Columbia sued HHS in federal court. On April 5, the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order against HHS. "We are grateful for this action by the court, which we feel aligns with the federal government's responsibility to us as a grantee," said Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota's health commissioner. "This action has given us additional short-term certainty around this funding, which allows us to delay this layoff process slightly." The new effective layoff date for those 170 positions is May 13, 2025. "We continue to remain hopeful for a positive long-term outcome in this case that would allow us to mitigate the need to layoff so many smart, dedicated staff who are vital to protecting the health of Minnesotans," Cunningham said.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MDH: 170 jobs cut, around 300 more 'at risk' after federal funding withdrawal
The Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday announced significant lay offs in response to the Trump administration's sudden withdrawal of $226 million in previously-approved grants to the agency. MDH said layoff and separation notices were sent to 170 employees Tuesday. Additionally, around 300 employees were notified their jobs are "at risk" and offers were rescinded to 20 people expected to begin jobs at MDH last week. In a statement, MDH said the federal cuts put the "public health of Minnesotans at risk." "These layoffs and separations will impact services across the agency that Minnesotans rely on, including those that support the state's response to measles and H5N1, wastewater surveillance, the state's public health laboratory, and community clinics and vaccination efforts," the agency wrote. MDH Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham said MDH is working to determine how much critical public health work can be saved amid the cuts. 'The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to proceed with layoffs immediately," Cunningham stated. She continued: "It is devastating to be forced to reduce critical services and give notices to so many dedicated public health professionals because the federal government decided to renege on its commitment to our state. They left us in the lurch, with no advance notice, no close-out period, halting work that would have helped us address chronic gaps in the system and be better prepared for future threats.' The following is a list from MDH detailing some of the impacts of the cuts: Significantly reduced support for nursing homes, including funding for HVAC upgrades and staff training around disease prevention, as well as support for county jails and other congregate settings. Slower response times to infectious disease outbreaks. Immediate suspension of partner-led vaccine clinics and emergency preparedness activities. Reduced laboratory support for hospitals and health care systems that could delay lab results and patient care. An inability to upgrade the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection, the state's immunization information system, which means it will remain outdated. Suspension of the INSPIRE Program, a program to get middle and high school students excited about and interested in public health. Reduced funding for Tribal Public Health.
