Suicide Prevention
Preventing Suicide
Suicide (taking one’s own life) is a serious public health problem that devastates individuals, families, and communities. It is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans.
Completed suicides are only part of the problem. More people are hospitalized or treated and released as a result of suicide attempts than are fatally injured.
While suicide is often viewed as a response to a single stressful event, it is a far more complicated issue.
Below are some important links where you can find more information on suicide and its prevention
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or visit the website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Centers for Disease Control Suicide Facts: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suicide-overview.htm
There are many warning signs of suicide. For more information, visit:
American Association of Suicidology’s website
Suicide Prevention Resource Center:
www.sprc.org/stateinformation/statepages/showstate.asp?stateID=45
The Vermont Suicide Prevention Platform
The Vermont Department of Health recognizes suicide as a significant public health problem. The Department of Health including the Division of Mental Health has been working with a suicide prevention planning team in conjunction with an advocacy group, Vermonters for Suicide Prevention, to develop a prevention platform for Vermont.
- The Vermont Suicide Prevention Platform (pdf)
Goals of the suicide prevention platform include reducing the rates of suicide attempts and other suicidal behaviors; preventing suicide deaths across the life span; reducing the harmful after-effects associated with suicidal behaviors and the traumatic impact of suicide on family and friends; improving mental health of Vermonters through early intervention, crisis treatment, and continuing care.