Just over 1,700 people committed suicide in New York State in 2024 according to the Centers for Disease Control. That’s a 35% increase over 20 years; at the same time, New York state’s increase in suicide deaths is much lower than in most other states. 

In part because of that rise, Gov. Kathy Hochul is releasing a roadmap for suicide prevention statewide.

You can find the roadmap here.

Dr. Jay Carruthers, director of the Suicide Prevention Center of New York at the Office of Mental Health, discussed the roadmap as well as why particular groups, including rural residents and veterans, among others, are at higher risk of suicide.