A new report shows that the suicide rate among middle-aged Ohio residents has risen by more than 41 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that between 1999 and 2010, suicides among people between 35 and 64 years old increased nationwide by a rate of 28 percent. Ohio's rate increased by 41.5 percent - the 15th biggest increase in the nation and higher than most neighboring states. No state experienced a decrease. The report says possible contributing factors to the increase include the economic downtown in the U.S. and the increasing availability of prescription drugs. Other stress factors cited were split families, aging parents and health problems.
Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.