WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

"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."

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.

External Links on Suicide Prevention
Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention
HOPES (Helping Others Prevent and Educate about Suicide - a Madison-based non-profit organization)
Mental Health America of Wisconsin (recipient of the federal Garrett Lee Smith youth suicide prevention initiative grant)