Suicide prevention
In Dane County we lose 40 – 50 people each year to suicide; 500 are hospitalized or admitted to emergency departments due to injuries sustained during suicide attempts. Suicide is the number one cause of violent death: 74% of violent deaths are suicides. View Dane County data from State of Wisconsin Burden of Suicide Report.
The good news: research tells us that 90% of people who die from suicide have a treatable mental illness or a substance abuse disorder. We know that suicide is often preventable with education, treatment and support. Because suicide is such a complex public health problem the Surgeon General recommends that we engage in prevention strategies community by community to be effective.
Schedule a QPR training at your workplace, church or neighborhood
HOPES (Helping Others Prevent and Educate About Suicide) offers a free QPR (Question Persuade Refer) training where participants learn the warning signs for suicide, how to offer hope, and how to seek help to save a life. In Dane County , our local volunteer QPR training team lead by Eric Garland, Jean Papalia, Pat Derer, Mary Moldenhauer, Sue Howell and others have trained over 300 community members. Contact HOPES at 274-9686; info@safercommunity.net, or visit www.hopes-wi.org to schedule a training.
Clinicians and Mental Health Professionals: Join Us!
Suicide Risk Assessment Symposia
April 26, 2010, 9 AM – 4 PM
American Family Insurance Training Center Madison , Wisconsin
April 26, 2010
David Mays, MD Instructor
Sponsored by Dane County, Public Health Madison/Dane County and HOPES
Continuing medical education and social work continuing education credits will be offered.
>> more details
Check back here in February for registration materials.
Resources and Suicide Prevention Weblinks
Access to Services map
Navigating the Mental Health System in Dane County (online) 2008. Provided by NAMI Dane County
Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN USA) website
View these on the Span USA publications page
- Senior Suicide: Understanding the Risk, Preventing the Tragedy
- Suicide Prevention for Military Families
State Strategy
