Dorchester County teen suicide statistics among state's highest

In presenting a proclamation declaring September Suicide Prevention Month, Dorchester County Council Vice President Mike Detmer offered alarming statistics hitting close to home, saying:

“In MD, suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to-14-year-olds, and third leading cause of death for ages 15– 34.”

“According to a 2021 youth risk behavior survey conducted by local school systems and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in the 12 months prior to the survey, 21.1 percent of Dorchester County teens attempted suicide.”

“More Marylanders die by suicide than by homicide every year, the suicide rate in MD’s Rural MidShore region is 40 percent higher than the state average.”