Kylee Boyter
Contributing Author
Utah has persistently greater charges of self-reported lifetime melancholy than the nationwide common (24.2% versus the nationwide common of 20.1% in 2021), as reported by Utah’s Public Well being Information Analysis. Sevier County is among the many Utah counties with the best suicide rankings, alongside Carbon, Emery, Beaver, and Duchesne.
Richfield resident, Jackie Roundy, is devoted to bringing consciousness to this situation and advocating for psychological well being amenities on this rural space.
“I began being vocal concerning the problems with psychological well being, bullying, and suicide once I participated within the Mrs. Sevier pageant again in 2014,” mentioned Roundy. “I wish to be that particular person for somebody that they’ll flip to and speak to about their sources, as a result of everybody deserves to be supported.”
Roundy lately took to a neighborhood polling web site to achieve traction to current on the Richfield Metropolis Council assembly held Jan. 10.
“At Richfield Metropolis Council, I offered the 333 signatures for my petition to construct a psychological well being facility in Richfield,” mentioned Roundy. “That is one thing our neighborhood desperately wants as Richfield is quantity two on the checklist of prime 5 highest suicide charges in Utah.”
Roundy acquired assist from the council to proceed her efforts and to convey ahead concepts for a way the council may also help her mission.
“Governor Spencer Cox has made a big initiative to deal with psychological well being and suicide charges in Utah and throughout the nation,” mentioned mayor Bryan Burrows. “There’s a larger want for this type of assist than all of us can think about.”
On Jan 10, Gov. Cox hosted a social media and youth psychological well being symposium to debate the impacts social media can have on younger minds.
“Our youngsters are the way forward for our state, and we have to do every little thing we will to guard them,” mentioned Cox, in a information launch.
Taking a look at USU’s Sevier County wants evaluation for 2021, 240 individuals recognized that the highest issues for youth within the county is No. 1, youth suicide; No. 2, youth social media dependancy; and No. 3, youth psychological well being. For adults, the survey discovered that these issues are first, suicide; second, psychological well being; and third, household relationships.
“We want extra sources in our space to assist these rising issues,” mentioned Roundy. “That’s the reason we have to hold the dialog going.”
Roundy is planning to proceed her initiative and petition for extra assist in rural areas like Richfield. If you’re excited by supporting or becoming a member of her trigger you may e mail her at [email protected] or signal her petition at: https://tinyurl.com/RichMHsurvey.
Earlier Publish
Concepts for self-care
Subsequent Publish
Week 2 report from the state Home