The state of Minnesota saw the rate of people dying by suicide in this state decline, for the first time in years.
For the year 2017-2018 the number dropped by a little more than 4.5%.
Nationwide it went up in 2018, but 1.4%.
Dr. Dan Reidenberg, Executive Director of SAVE, says numbers don't tell the bigger story of the issue.
"Every year state numbers go up and they go down. If we look at the country we know someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes, somewhere, and every 28 seconds someone takes an attempt at their life."
In fact according to the CDC, in 2017, 10.6 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted it.
More awareness and education is needed Reidenberg says, in addition to better care and having better access to the right care for every individual person.
"We literally have million of Americans who know someone that died by suicide. And that increases risk and that is why suicide prevention is everybody’s problem."
So what is one thing that we can all do, right now?
"Just being available to someone can actually save their life. Too many people are afraid to do that, they are afraid to say the wrong thing or they think well if I’m not there right now it’s my fault and then they don’t get there at all – we need the opposite of that, we need everyone to be caring in a way they can and that’s what will save people."
If you need help or know anyone who does, there is a place to call.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255