A new landmark U.S. study on suicide says largely accepted data regarding youth suicide is wrong
May 1, 2026, 1:51 PM | Updated: May 2, 2026, 12:59 pm
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SALT LAKE CITY — In a new landmark U.S. study on suicide, researchers led by Huntsman Medical Center said largely accepted data regarding youth suicide is wrong. They said it’s been a crisis for much longer.
The data University of Utah researchers studied spanned from 1900 to 2021, with researchers looking through federal records. They put that data into something called STACK.
Over 100 years of data were looked at by Huntsman Medical researchers.
Unlike other causes of death, researchers found that suicide rates are cyclical, shaped largely by society, including economic, social and cultural issues of the time.
They also found that the rise in suicide among younger people began much earlier than we first thought, as early as the mid to late 50s.
Research showed increased numbers during the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and the Women’s Rights Revolution.
The data revealed that living in a metropolitan area seems to reduce the incidence of youth suicide compared to those living in rural areas.
The most recent uptick started in the early 2000’s.
Over time, the divide between older adults committing suicide and youth became narrower.
The research suggested that social connections, economic stability and generational stability can help prevent suicide.
This unprecedented study is co-led by Nina de Lacy of Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the U of U. She said suicide is like no other cause of death, because generally, other causes go down in number as proper interventions are implemented. Whereas suicide fluctuates, even reverses, and seems resistant to interventions.
“If suicide risk rises and falls with broader social conditions, then prevention has to go beyond the clinic,” she said. “We need tailored strategies that address connectedness, community, economic stability and the lived experience of entire generations, not just interventions targeted at individuals after they’re already in crisis.”
Suicide prevention resources
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 help and resources. (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.
Additional resources
- SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
- SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals, can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
- SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
- Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
- LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.
Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.
These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.
Other community-based resources
- NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
- Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
- Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
- The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
- Latino Behavioral Health Services
Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.
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