Oklahoma is facing a quiet but devastating crisis: the state ranks among the top ten in the nation for suicide, with about two Oklahomans dying by suicide every day.

Over the past decade, the state’s suicide rate has grown faster than the national average, affecting families, communities, and workplaces across Oklahoma.

Why is Oklahoma so high?

“Suicide is an incredibly complex issue,” says Zach Stoycoff, executive director of the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. It’s not just about mental health; economic pressures, relationship conflicts, and social isolation all play a role.

Middle-aged men are the most affected, partly due to access to more lethal means at a higher rate. Gun ownership is higher among men, and cultural stigma around seeking help.

Teenage girls are increasingly show

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