Education and awareness about mental illnesses
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH
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Suicide
"Suicide is a major public health problem in Wisconsin. It is the second leading cause of death for Wisconsin young people and the tenth leading cause of death for all ages. Our state suicide rate is three times greater than the state homicide rate. In 2000, 588 people died of suicide in Wisconsin.
The problem of suicide is so extensive that someone in the United States commits suicide every 17 minutes. Half a million Americans are taken to hospitals every year because of suicide attempts. One in five people with major depression in the United States attempts suicide, and, even more striking, one in two people with manic depressive illness attempts suicide."
- from the Foreword of the Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy
Signs of Suicide from SAVE (Suicide Awareness / Voices of Education)
- Talking about suicide.
- Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness.
- Preoccupation with death.
- Suddenly happier, calmer.
- Loss of interest in things one cares about.
- Visiting or calling people one cares about.
- Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order.
- Giving things away.
Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin
A September 2008 report from Mental Health America of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the Injury Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin with detailed information about suicidal behavior, including completed suicides and attempts.