'Deaths Of Despair' On The Rise In Pierce County: Report

TACOMA, WA — The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is reminding everyone: help is available if you need it.

In an update Friday, the health department reported that deaths from suicide, alcohol or drug misuse had climbed from 351 in 2019 to 423 in 2020, and these "deaths of despair" appear to be a growing concern for the county.

As the health department notes, more Pierce County residents died of despair in 2020 than did of COVID-19 that year.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has not made life any easier, and a study of local mental health trends from January 2020 to April 2021 found increases in:

• People seeking treatment for depression and anxiety.
• Drug poisoning deaths and hospitalizations.
• Primary care visits for eating disorders.
• Calls to suicide or crisis hotlines.
• Self harm incidents.

"COVID-19 has been hard on everyone," writes TPCHD's Elizabeth Allen. "It’s taken a tragic toll in Pierce County, where we saw a jump in so-called deaths of despair. If you have good behavioral health, you can navigate life, have positive relationships and adapt to change. But poor behavioral health— or mental health — can lead to Substance Use Disorder and other challenges."

The health department says it is sharing this data to remind those who are suffering that they are not alone. The health department recommends that anyone who is struggling with mental health:

• Seek treatment if they need it.
• Connect with people.
• Join a support group.
• Seek mental health resources.

>> Read more from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.