Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Orange County Line

    Orange County Line

    What Can OC Government Do about Rising Suicide Rates?

    Orange County's shocking rise in suicides, and what county officials are doing.

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    By Gustavo Arellano • Apr 26, 2016 • 4m Listen

    Recent studies have shown a dramatic increase in suicide rates across the United States, but Orange County has seen it worse that most areas. Whereas the nation has seen an increase of 22% from 1999 to 2013, OC has seen its rates rise by 45% — the largest increase of any of the US's 20 most populous counties. The data has alarmed Orange County Supervisors Lisa Bartlett and Andrew Do, who want to have a discussion about the matter before the full Board of Supervisors and the county's Health Care Agency. The county cares about the issue because suicide attempts have led to $60 million in costs each year from 2009 to 2011. But what else can be done on a local level to stop suicides?

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Gustavo Arellano

      columnist, LA Times

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Benjamin Gottlieb

      Reporter, Fill-in Host

      CultureNewsOrange County
    Back to Orange County Line