ST. PAUL (WCCO) -The Minnesota Department of Health says Minnesota’s suicide rate remained unchanged in 2024 compared to the year before. Preliminary data show the state’s suicide rate last year in entirely rural counties was twice that of the Twin Cities metro counties. Rural counties make up about 1.6% of the Minnesota population and 2.8% of all suicide deaths.
When it comes to the higher rates in rural areas, the Department of Health says some of the contributing factors putting residents more at risk for suicide could include higher rates of firearm ownership, less access to health and mental health care, and higher poverty rates than urban areas.
Firearm injuries made up the majority, about 51%, of suicide deaths in 2024. While firearms have been the leading injury mechanism in suicide deaths for decades, this percentage is higher than in recent years.
Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham says the overall increase in deaths by suicide over the last couple of decades continues to be concerning. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy and can have an ongoing impact on families and communities. We aim to help make sure people know suicide is preventable and recovery is possible.”
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