Butte County Suicide Rates

Mark Lundberg 
MD, MPH, Public Health Officer, 
Butte County Public Health 

In 2009, suicide was the eighth-leading cause of death in Butte County, with 41 deaths.  From 2005 through 2011, Butte County Public Health recorded 296 suicide deaths. In addition to the emotional toll this represents, Dr. Lundberg illustrates the financial burden of suicidal behavior on the medical system – for example, in 2008, there were 323,342 visits to hospital emergency departments in the United States related to suicidal behavior. His data and commentary show the scope of the challenges faced by professionals and laypersons working on suicide prevention. 

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Recorded: March 19, 2012