Las Vegas, Nevada is a city people come to for many reasons: gambling, fun, drinking and getting away from their everyday lives. However, some people come here to die. Las Vegas has the highest suicide rate of all major cities and one of the highest suicide rates for those from out of town. Why such high rates? As with suicide its self, no one really knows.

Besides having the highest suicide rates, Las Vegas also has one of the highest death rates in the country. Overdoses are astronomically high, as are liver disease caused by alcohol. Can all of these be interconnected?

Most suicides are committed by those who are suffering from depression. Las Vegas has plenty to make one depressed. Gambling and alcohol addiction are prevalent, both of which can lead to depression. Also, there’s a sense of facade about Las Vegas. Sure it’s pretty on the surface, all lights and glitter, but underneath it’s empty. It’s not an friendly town. It’s the perfect place to feel alone or to get lost. Perhaps that’s why outsiders and locals find it a good place to die. They are drawn to the siren song of this desert oasis and then sucked down to hell with the rest of us.

Whatever the reason, all of the regular news channels in Las Vegas don’t report deaths by suicide, especially those committed by tourists. Perhaps they don’t want to ruin the facade either. Despite their efforts, it has already started to crack. It’s a sign that the state of Nevada needs to improve it’s mental health system and get a handle on the situation. Otherwise tourism could drop even more. After all, we are supposed to be Sin City not Suicide City.