PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Department of Health gave a briefing on their operations and programs to the House Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday.

Beth Dokken, director of the Family and Community Health Division, had an update on suicide numbers.

Dokken says state suicides are running well above the national averages.

Dokken says they are focusing on young people.

Dokken also said suicide rates among native Americans was about two and a half times higher than the rest of the population.