WI Suicide Data | Risk & Protective Factors | Impact of Trauma | Resources
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
September is Suicide Prevention Month!
Learn more at www.preventsuicidewi.org/suicide-prevention-month.
Check out our calendar of events here>>
Suicide Prevention Task Force Members Announced
Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) is announcing the members of the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention. The bipartisan task force will make policy recommendations to help reverse the trend of increasing suicide rates in the state. See the complete list of members here.>>
The announcement of the new Suicide Prevention Task Force presents an incredible opportunity for MHA and our partners to make a big impact on preventing suicide in our state. While we do not yet have formal policy recommendations, we know what works in Wisconsin. See our policy priorities below. For more information about statewide suicide prevention, please visit www.preventsuicidewi.org.
MHA of Wisconsin's Suicide Prevention Policy Priorities
Support School-Based Suicide Prevention
- Provide funding for school-based suicide prevention.
See Youth Suicide Prevention: Student Programs here>>
Require Suicide Prevention Training
- 27 states, plus DC, require training for school personnel.
- 9 states require training for health professionals.
See Wisconsin Laws Addressing Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention here>>
See State Laws: Training for Health Professionals in Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management here>>
Reduce Access to Lethal Means
- Funds to purchase/disseminate gun locks or other safe storage equipment
- Lethal violence protection order (14 states)
- Background checks and waiting periods for handgun purchases
Increase the Mental Health Workforce
- Increase loan repayment programs.
- Support integration of behavioral health providers into primary care.
See National Projections of Supply and Demand for Selected Behavioral Health Practitioners here>>
Support Local Coalitions
- Provide grants for coalitions/local health departments to increase public awareness and implement local programs.
- Provide funds to support administration of grant programs, if authorized, or to provide additional technical assistance to counties, coalitions, or provider agencies.
See a directory of Wisconsin's county suicide prevention coalitions here>>
Prioritize Populations at Risk
See the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's page on Populations here>>
Stay Tuned for More Task Force Updates via MHA eNewsletters
The Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention will hold hearings around the state to receive input from survivors, experts, advocates for suicide prevention, families who have been impacted and community members. Policy recommendations are expected to be made to Speaker Vos by this fall 2019.
For information about our current Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy, click here.>>
For information about Zero Suicide in Wisconsin, click here.>>
State Suicide Prevention Strategy
The Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Strategy 2015 (WSPS) was unveiled at the annual Prevent Suicide Wisconsin (PSW) conference on April 29th. The new strategy replaces the one that was created in 2002 and is intentionally more targeted to achieve greater impact.
Local suicide prevention coalitions and others interested in suicide prevention are asked to consider how they can align their efforts to this new strategy. Upcoming changes to the PSW website will also align to the WSPS goals and objectives to facilitate access to information and resources.
Access the WSPS 2015 here >
Wisconsin Suicide Data
The Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin 2007-2011 (released 2014)
A joint report by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Injury Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Mental Health America of Wisconsin
Suicide remains a significant public health problem in Wisconsin. The extraordinary costs of suicide are both economic and emotional. Suicidal behavior imposes a substantial financial burden on the families of decedents and results in lost productivity in the workforce. Moreover, the pain and suffering endured by friends, families, and communities affected by suicide are immeasurable.
The intention of this report is to provide an overview of the burden of suicide in Wisconsin using available data to community members and leaders, health professionals, and other suicide prevention stakeholders at the local and state levels. In addition, this report includes themes for prevention that are based on the analysis of suicide data, which will be incorporated into Wisconsin’s suicide prevention strategy.
Access the Burden of Suicide report here >
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training (Question, Persuade, Refer)
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training (Question, Persuade, Refer) is offered in partnership with Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee (PSGM). This training prepares people to recognize a potential suicide crisis and know how and where to find help. The training is approximately 1-1 ½ hours and is taught in a format that is applicable for a wide variety of audiences such as workplace staff/administrators, community youth groups, faith based groups, book clubs, school based leadership groups, clubs and sport teams, etc.
For information about this training, please visit www.preventsuicidemke.org or email info@preventsuicidemke.org.
Risk and Protective Factors
Risk factors are stressful events, situations, or conditions that exist in a person's life that may increase the likelihood of attempting or dying by suicide. There is no predictive list of a particular set of risk factors that spells imminent danger of suicide. It is important to understand that risk factors DO NOT cause suicide. Risk factors most strongly associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download more information.
Protective factors are the positive conditions and personal and social resources that promote resiliency and reduce the potential for youth suicide as well as other high-risk behaviors. It is important to understand that protective factors do not prevent suicide. Protective factors associated with suicidal behavior include individual, peer/family, community, and society. Download more information.
Impact of Trauma
Impact of Suicide on Youth & Families: The Ones We Miss curriculum
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Information - Suicide >>, Loss and Grief >>
Survivors Helping Survivors Support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide
Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey