[pibaker]

The more likely explanation is guns. Gun ownership tends to be higher in rural areas because of a mixture of culture, politics, utility and laws. Only 14% of adults in New York State have guns compared to 59% in Alaska. Having a quick, easy and painless way to end your life right on your nightstand makes it a lot more likely that a bolt of suicidal urges turn into action.

https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/gun-ownership.html

[themafia]

Then overlay a map of gun ownership rates over the suicide rates and see if you see the same correlation.

This isn't an intuitive point. There's actual data showing the correlation I've described.

Something you'll also want to explain is why the suicide rate for teens is 3x higher than for adults and why elderly is 2x higher than adults. Or why more than 1/3 of suicides don't involve a gun at all. Or why Japan's suicide rate is so much higher despite having no gun ownership rights.