Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Thru Sept. 11th
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016 -- 10:14 AM
It's Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: Sept. 5-11 and the numbers tell a story.....Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA) provides suicide prevention infrastructure development and training in Wisconsin. Suicide prevention awareness starts with this number:
755
That is the number of Wisconsinites who died by suicide in 2014, the most recent year for which we have data. That is 4.5 times the number of people who died as a result of homicide in Wisconsin that year.
Here is another number: 6%. That is the number of youth who reported making a suicide attempt on the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. About one youth under the age of 20 dies by suicide each week in Wisconsin.
43: The percent of people who die by suicide who are reported as being in care at the time of their death.
These numbers only begin to define the problem, but we also have numbers that help define the solution:
31: the number of health/behavioral health organizations MHA has trained in the past 4 years on the quality improvement practice known as Zero Suicide. Zero Suicide has the potential to significantly reduce suicide among persons seen in behavioral health and health care settings.
23: the number of local health departments that have selected adolescent suicide prevention as a priority area. They are educating their communities on suicide prevention and promoting best practices.
10,373: the number of individuals who utilized HOPELINE, an emotional support texting line, in December 2015 alone. This resource has been utilized by individuals in every county. Users report a significant decrease in stress following contact with HOPELINE.
676: the number of clinicians that MHA trained in Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk, a competencybased training, through a federal youth suicide prevention grant. Upgrading clinical skills is a key component for suicide reduction.
25 (and counting): the number of events that are taking place across Wisconsin over the next two months that provide an opportunity to learn more about suicide prevention. You can learn about these events at:
http://www.preventsuicidewi.org/2016-spawm
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.