In his opening session remarks at the Utah Legislature, Speaker of the House Brad Wilson named reducing Utah’s suicide rate as one of his top priorities for the year. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, but the eighth in Utah. According to our partners at Utah Public Radio, local health departments are currently working towards prevention by utilizing the QPR Institute’s ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ method. And later in the news, Public Lands Corner features an in-depth look at changes to obtaining a river permit for running Westwater Canyon, as well as a proposed fee increase for Desolation Canyon river permits.

Show Notes –

Suicide Prevention:

Suicide Statistics

https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/

https://ibis.health.utah.gov/ibisph-view/indicator/complete_profile/SuicDth.html

QPR Institute, ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ Method

https://qprinstitute.com

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

UPR, 'Suicide Prevention Top Priority For Utah Lawmakers, Health Departments'

https://www.upr.org/post/suicide-prevention-top-priority-utah-lawmakers-health-departments

Help for those struggling with depression, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts is available at the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or via chat at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Public Lands Corner:

Westwater

Conversation with Todd Murdock, Moab BLM recreation

https://www.recreation.gov/permits/621744

Desolation/Gray Canyon

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/comments-sought-desolation-canyon-blm-price-campgrounds-business-plans

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/comments-sought-desolation-canyon-blm-price-campgrounds-business-plans

Conditions report

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/current/?type=flow

https://www.ksl.com/weather/snowpack