Kansas is sending more money to community-based services to address the rising number of deaths by suicide. According to Federal data, the annual number of deaths from suicide in Kansas rose more than 60% from 2000 to 2020, reaching 530 that year.
Fifteen organizations across the state will get $35,000 each and continued support. The groups will assess their communities and design a framework for reducing suicides. Governor Laura Kelly says the grants are part of the state’s effort to improve mental health. She also says the number of psychiatric beds in Kansas is up by more than 30% over the last four years.
