Suicide rates increase in Rockbridge County

The 2022 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions Rockbridge County High School suicide attempt data.

By Carly Snyder

According to the 2022 Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions, 17.6% of RCHS students, or 142 of 807 respondents, contemplated suicide during the 2021-2022 academic year. Of those, 103 students attempted suicide at least once. Four of those students attempted suicide six or more times. No suicides were reported during the year.

Comparable data were not collected during the 2020-2021 academic year because fewer than 10 students completed the survey.

“It was very obvious we were in a mental health crisis before COVID hit,” Craft said. “Since COVID, it has just made a bad situation worse.”

FILE PHOTO — 17.6% of Rockbridge County High School respondents contemplated suicide during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jeff Rutter, director of counseling at Washington and Lee University, also said mental illnesses were prevalent before COVID-19 but have increased in the last two years and led to “more demand for our services.”

To meet this higher demand, both W&L and RCHS have added more positions in their counseling centers.

Rutter’s position was created in May 2021. Previously, one person oversaw both health and counseling.

RCHS hired a fourth counselor this year.

Jordan Brooks, a licensed counselor and regional suicide prevention initiative program manager, said suicide rates for Rockbridge County and the region align with state and national trends.

National suicide rates have risen 4% from 45,979 deaths in 2020 to 47,646 in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rockbridge County reported the same increase but did not provide specific numbers.

“The world is dealing with these issues,” said Craft.

Suicide prevention requires parents and others to watch for changes in behavior among teens and young adults.

Some differences Brooks said are important to observe are dramatic changes in sleeping patterns, mood, and social engagement.

Rutter said that the counseling center at W&L has begun to train faculty members and peer counselors to observe these changes in students and report a student in need to the counseling center.

“From there, really it kind of comes down to having conversations with our young adults,” said Brooks.

Washington and Lee’s counseling center has added more positions to meet the increasing demand for services.

Brooks also works as a coordinator for Lock and Talk Virginia, a suicide prevention initiative that encourages locking up firearms and medications.

“We’ve seen that by securing things like that in the home can help not only prevent suicides, but also accidental overdoses or any firearm accidents,” said Brooks.

Each community’s services board provides residents with free firearm locks and drug disposal kits.

Contact and meeting information for Rockbridge area’s community services board can be found here.

“Ultimately our goal is always to impart to people that suicide is preventable and there is healing,” said Brooks. “There are supports that can help and that are available to anybody regardless of the situation.”

If you or someone you know needs help, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or through chat.