Suicide rates are on the rise in every state except Nevada, according to a report released Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report indicates that suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States.

“We’re not going to get anywhere by hiding it,” said Peggy Huppert, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa.

The CDC says there has been a 36 percent increase in suicides from 1999 to 2016 in Iowa.

The numbers don't shock advocates, such as Huppert, who said the two groups with the highest suicide rates include teenage girls and farmers.

"All the stuff going on with trade, the price of crops, the price it takes to produce those crops, the weather, right? All of that is beyond their control,” Huppert said.

In the report, the CDC recommends that health care systems provide affordable and effective mental health help.

And Huppert said Iowa is already seeing that change.

"Broadlawns (Medical Center) just opened a new inpatient unit that is specifically geared for people with major depression,” Huppert said.

Last week, Mercy Medical Center announced plans to build a behavioral hospital in Clive.

“We want to be able to be that hope, to be that care,” Dr. Sasha Khosravi said.

The hospital will add a 100-bed freestanding inpatient facility to keep up with the mental health demand in the state.

"Every day we're faced with the issue of having the need for service surpass our available service currently,” said Mary Thompson, director of behavioral health services at Mercy-Des Moines.

According to the report, everyone can do their part to be there for their friends and family in need.

"I know that if we put our minds to it, we can make a difference with suicide,” Huppert said.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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