The trend in firearm deaths by suicide in Hoke County shows significant fluctuation from 2017 to 2021. Rates remained relatively stable from 2017 to 2018, with a slight decline to 11 deaths in 2019. However, a sharp increase occurred in 2020, peaking at 26 deaths, followed by a steep decline to 17 deaths in 2021.

Several factors contribute to this trend. Notably, the arrival of a new sheriff in 2019 introduced changes in law enforcement strategies and community engagement. These efforts may have influenced both crime and suicide trends, particularly in how substance use and mental health crises were addressed within the community.

Substance use, a key contributor to mental health challenges and suicide, has played a significant role in these statistics. The rise in deaths in 2020 corresponds with the broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated mental health issues and substance misuse due to isolation, economic stress, and limited access to services. Local initiatives have since worked to address these challenges through prevention programming, mental health awareness campaigns, and expanded access to behavioral health services.