DARLINGTON - Suicide Prevention Week was Sept. 7-13 for 2008. This year's theme was"Advancing Suicidology: Embracing Diversity in Research and Practice."
In Wisconsin there were 660 completed suicides in 2006 (compared to 191 homicides) according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This places suicide as the 10th leading cause of death among Wisconsinites.
Other statistical information regarding suicide in Wisconsin include (taken from www.hope-wi.org)
• Among those ages 18-40 years, suicide was the second most common cause of death, following unintentional injuries.
• Six children less than 14 years of age died by suicide.
• The majority of suicides occurred in the working age population, those age 18-64 years.
• Each suicide death was estimated to affect the life of six other people. This means nearly 4,000 Wisconsin residents were affected by a loved one's suicide.
• There were 5,277 hospitalizations and 4,143 emergency department visits due to self-harm. Many who make suicide attempts never seek professional care immediately after the attempt.
• These hospitalizations and emergency department visits resulted in over $64 million dollars in hospital charges.
• Forty-five percent of suicides were by firearm.
• Suicide is an issue that can not be ignored.
In Lafayette County a group of concerned individuals are a part of the organization Community Suicide Intervention Task Force (CSI-TF) devoted to combating the issue of suicide by education and intervention programs. The group has been administering funds through the Garrett Lee Smith Grant (a nationally funded grant aimed at teen suicide issues) for the past two years working with school and community groups to raise the awareness of the issue of suicide and prevention techniques. Members of the coalition are available for presentations to interested groups on this important community issue. Members are also available to offer training to interested community groups/individuals in "Gate Keeper" and "QPR" Training. Both of these programs are aimed at arming individuals with knowledge about suicide, its warning signs and intervention techniques which can be used to prevent suicides. These are nationally recognized and proven efforts which result in reductions of suicidal behaviors and risks.
For information on the workings of CSI-TF, or to schedule a presentation on suicide intervention you may contact Larry Hakes, CSI-TF Coordinator at 776-3631, or Tom MacDonald, DHFS Administrator at 776-4800.
In Wisconsin there were 660 completed suicides in 2006 (compared to 191 homicides) according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This places suicide as the 10th leading cause of death among Wisconsinites.
Other statistical information regarding suicide in Wisconsin include (taken from www.hope-wi.org)
• Among those ages 18-40 years, suicide was the second most common cause of death, following unintentional injuries.
• Six children less than 14 years of age died by suicide.
• The majority of suicides occurred in the working age population, those age 18-64 years.
• Each suicide death was estimated to affect the life of six other people. This means nearly 4,000 Wisconsin residents were affected by a loved one's suicide.
• There were 5,277 hospitalizations and 4,143 emergency department visits due to self-harm. Many who make suicide attempts never seek professional care immediately after the attempt.
• These hospitalizations and emergency department visits resulted in over $64 million dollars in hospital charges.
• Forty-five percent of suicides were by firearm.
• Suicide is an issue that can not be ignored.
In Lafayette County a group of concerned individuals are a part of the organization Community Suicide Intervention Task Force (CSI-TF) devoted to combating the issue of suicide by education and intervention programs. The group has been administering funds through the Garrett Lee Smith Grant (a nationally funded grant aimed at teen suicide issues) for the past two years working with school and community groups to raise the awareness of the issue of suicide and prevention techniques. Members of the coalition are available for presentations to interested groups on this important community issue. Members are also available to offer training to interested community groups/individuals in "Gate Keeper" and "QPR" Training. Both of these programs are aimed at arming individuals with knowledge about suicide, its warning signs and intervention techniques which can be used to prevent suicides. These are nationally recognized and proven efforts which result in reductions of suicidal behaviors and risks.
For information on the workings of CSI-TF, or to schedule a presentation on suicide intervention you may contact Larry Hakes, CSI-TF Coordinator at 776-3631, or Tom MacDonald, DHFS Administrator at 776-4800.
