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Office of Children's Mental Health Focuses on Preventing Suicide

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FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Office of Children’s Mental Health Director Linda Hall today announces the publication of a new fact sheet about preventing youth suicides and what our communities can do to make a difference.

Highlights include:

  • Approximately one in 13 high school students attempts suicide more than once.
  • 45% of adolescents who died by suicide used a parent’s gun.
  • American Indian youth in Wisconsin commit suicide at a higher rate than White Wisconsin youth. The overall suicide rate for Wisconsin youth is higher than the national average.
  • Parents can follow advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics that says the safest home for a child is one without guns.
  • Schools can foster connectedness and protective environments by implementing peer support programs like Hope Squad and Sources of Strength.
  • Policymakers can support a stronger infrastructure to prevent suicide and lost wages of $17 million (in 2010) from youth ages 0-26 who die by suicide.
  • Everyone can raise awareness about suicide during September’s Suicide Prevention Month and share available resources and social media graphics.

See the complete fact sheet

See previous fact sheets

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