Suicide rates in the United States are on the rise for the first time in decades, going up 25 percent from 1999 to 2016. The increase is seen across different regions of the country, among different age groups, genders and ethnicities -- and especially among youth and people who are middle-aged.
What is going on?
In this interview, Dr. Robert Gregory helps explain. He is a psychiatrist and director of Upstate's Psychiatry High Risk Program.
How can a person tell if someone is at risk for suicide? Gregory says there are some classic symptoms, such as social withdrawal, a decline in the ability to function (grades or work performance may drop) and a more negative outlook. But he suggests asking whether the person has contemplated suicide. "If you don't ask, you're not going to know."
The Psychiatry High Risk Program can be reached at (315) 464-3117.
Also this week on the program: research on the reasons women awaken at night to urinate, plus living in a digital world.
Tune in Sunday, July 1 at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on WRVO.