One could dismiss these figures as anecdotal evidence or a strange outlier. The problem is it fits with other mental health trends around the country.
While this particular case study is only for one county, the results are hardly unique. What some people don't realize is that taking extreme action like shutting down businesses and social isolation in response to COVID-19 isn't just a one way path to saving lives. It's a trade-off. Some lives for other lives.
Suicides aren't the only trade-offs. As the article mentions, cancer screenings have been reduced, baby's have died because they have been unable to get heart surgery...the list goes on. Given that the overall death rate is not significantly different than pre-COVID rates, are these trade-offs worth it, or even moral? Shouldn't people at least be able to make these choices for themselves?