Wisconsin United for Mental Health Update
- Several WUMH organizations, including Mental Health America of Wisconsin and the Department of Health Services, have been involved in the formation of a new organization called Prevent Suicide Wisconsin. The new logo will be revealed this week, Suicide Prevention Week, with the help of former Olympian and Wisconsin native Suzy Favor Hamilton. Please visit our Calendar or click on the links under "Upcoming Suicide Prevention Events" below to learn more about these Prevent Suicide Wisconsin kick-off events.
- Wisconsin United for Mental Health is now on Facebook! Please go to Facebook, search for "Wisconsin United for Mental Health" and "Like" us. When we get 25 "fans" then we will get our own link and username and can promote the page more easily. The page will allow us another avenue to fight the stigma associated with mental illnesses, to promote events that help educate about mental health and mental illnesses, as well as promote the work we do, such as working with employers to create mentally healthy workplaces that are supportive of people with mental illnesses. Be one of the first to join and encourage your Friends to do so as well!
Upcoming Wisconsin United for Mental Health Events
- WUMH Quarterly Meeting
When: Friday September 10 from 9:00 - 11:00 am
Where: WWHF or via telephone
- Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Kick-off Event
When: Monday September 13, 2010 at Noon
Where: The Capitol Building, Madison, WI
Details of Event from the WUMH Calendar
- Reception for Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton
WUMH will be celebrating and thanking the Lt. Governor for serving as the honorary chair of WUMH and for her dedication in recognizing the importance of mental health in Wisconsin.
Where: Madison’s--119 N. King St.--Madison, WI 53703
When: Tuesday, September 28th from 4:30PM to 6:30 PM
Monthly Feature - Suicide Prevention
September is a very busy month for those promoting suicide prevention with:
- Suicide Prevention Week September 5 - 11
- Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Kick-off Events
- World Suicide Prevention Day September 10
Along with promoting these and other suicide prevention events we share facts and resources related to depression and suicide prevention for youth as they return to school or campus.
Facts on Youth Suicide
- Whereas suicides accounted for 1.4% of all deaths in the U.S. annually, they comprised 12.2% of all deaths among 15-24-year-olds.
- Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method among youth, accounting for 45.9% of all completed suicides (2007).
- Not all adolescent attempters may admit their intent. Therefore, any deliberate self-harming behaviors should be considered serious and in need of further evaluation.
- Most adolescent suicide attempts are precipitated by interpersonal conflicts. The intent of the behavior appears to be to effect change in the behaviors or attitudes of others.
Sources: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) website (www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/default.htm), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports via the American Association of Suicidology.
Back to School Resources
Youth Suicide Fact Sheet (pdf from the American Association of Suicidology)
WI DPI Model Bullying Policy
WI Act 309 of 2009 requires school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies by August 15, 2010. In compliance with the act, the DPI has developed a model anti-bullying policy to assist districts. It is available at: http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/doc/modelbullyingpolicy.doc Questions may be directed to Joan Lerman, joan.lerman @dpi.wi.gov or 608-266-2829.
WUMH Bullying Resources
21st Children Come First Conference - "See My World: New Perspectives on Children’s Mental Health"
November 8 & 9, 2010 at Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
Coordinated by
WI Family Ties
DPI Conference for Trauma-Informed Schools
November 17-18, 2010 – Middleton, WI
Immediately following the
DPI Leadership Conference
Campus Connect
A new program, Campus Connect, will train gatekeepers to identify students at risk of or exhibiting signs of depression. Campus Connect is funded by the Charles E. Kubly Foundation (
learn about their upcoming fundraiser). Jonathan Kanter, associate professor of psychology and WUMH Steering Committe member, will be one of the gatekeepers.
ULifeLine - online mental health resources for college students
Upcoming Suicide Prevention Events
Additional details on the following events can be found on the WUMH Web site. Simply click on the link to find out more.
Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Suicide Among Older Adults
- September. 14, 2010, 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center webinar
Every year, more than 5,000 Americans over the age of 65 die by suicide, a death toll that is largely preventable. Speakers Chris Miara (SPRC), Rosalyn Blogier (SAMHSA) and Yeates Conwell (University of Rochester) will review research associated with suicide among older adults, including risk and protective factors and effective suicide prevention strategies.
More information on this webinar
Out Of The Darkness Community Walks For Suicide Awareness And Prevention
Register today for Out of the Darkness Community Walks for suicide awareness and prevention in Wisconsin. Walks will be held in Brown County (Sept. 18), Fond du Lac (Sept. 18), Madison (Sept. 19), Elkhorn (Sept. 19) and Milwaukee (Oct. 2).
The Out of the Darkness Walks are 3-5 mile scenic walks in which 220 communities around the country will be participating this fall. Thousands of people will walk to raise awareness and funds for The American Foundation for Suicide prevention’s vital research and education programs to prevent suicide and save lives, increase national awareness about depression and suicide and assist survivors of suicide loss.
Click here for information about the walk, or visit
Mental Health America of Wisconsin’s web site for specific location information in the State of Wisconsin. Thanks to the MHA for compiling information about these walks.
