Help Stop Suicide
Suicide is permanent and usually preventable.

Even so, each year Kentucky loses close to 600 people from death bysuicide. To help reduce these deaths, the Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services invited various community leaders to establish the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Planning Group in 2002. In 2006, the Department for Mental Health was awarded a three year Garrett Lee Smith Memorial, SAMHSA Grant to help decrease suicide deaths and attempts across the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, training and evaluation.

However, we need all Kentuckians to become active in the reduction of suicide attempts and deaths in the Commonwealth. Suicide is a serious public health issue. Take a look at these statistics:

• Kentucky loses three times as many citizens to suicide
  as to homicide.
• There are an average of 5.7 suicide attempts everyday in Kentucky.
• Kentucky’s suicide death rate is the 12th highest in the nation.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Kentuckians
  15 to 34 years old.
• Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 35 to 54 year olds.
• Our elderly have a higher suicide rate than the national average.
• Firearms caused 62 percent of suicide deaths in Kentucky.
• 2,088 suicide attempts were serious enough to warrant admission to a hospital in Kentucky during 2006.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death for Kentuckians.
  Yet suicide is one of the most preventable forms of death.
  
• 64% of Kentuckians know at least one person
  who has attempted or died by suicide.
  
• 33.8% consider themselves to be a suicide survivor
  (who has lost a loved one or close friend to suicide).
  
• Experts believe most suicidal people don’t want to die, they just want to end their pain. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.

Suicidal behavior is complex and frightening. But, help is available and there are often warning signs. That means together we can reduce this act that devastates so many if we are educated and pay close attention to each other.

Give An Hour:  Veterans Mental Health Support Initiative
Watch TV Announcement Video:
What is Give An Hour?

• "Give an Hour" is a nonprofit organization providing FREE mental health services to US military personnel and families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  - Click here to learn more.
  
  
• GAH Launches in Kentucky: Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) have just announced that Kentucky will join the Give an Hour™ initiative. Gov. Beshear and CHFS are asking Kentucky-licensed mental health professionals to volunteer an hour of free service each week for up to one year to returning troops and their families.
  
  “It’s vital for our soldiers and their families to know they can and should seek help when needed,” said Gov. Beshear. “This program can make a difference and even save lives.”
  - Click here to listen to the news conference audio.

2010 Prevention Week Kickoff,
"Working Together to Save Lives!"

• Friday, Aug. 20 (10am-noon): Join us Aug. 20 at the Western Kentucky University Carroll Knicely Conference Center as we bring awareness and education to suicide prevention in our area. The kickoff event is FREE and open to all. For more information or to register, email Stephen Ulrich by clicking here.