It's National Suicide Prevention Month, and the subject is especially serious in New Mexico.

With experts saying that younger adults are at a higher risk of depression and suicide in their lifetimes, the state Department of Health said there were 512 suicides in 2024, a 9% rise or 42 more than in 2023.

Andrew O'Grady, CEO of Mental Health America, said New Mexico needs to do more the curb what looks like an overlooked epidemic.

"The biggest concern for me is the younger generation — 10 to 34, believe it or not," O'Grady said. "It's the second leading cause of death in New Mexico, and we need to do better at making it OK for these younger people to speak up and talk and access care."

According to the 2024 data, white New Mexicans had the highest rate of suicide death (29.4 deaths per 10

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