Mental Health America is a partner of Prevention Suicide Wisconsin (PSW).

This website provides information about community suicide prevention coalitions throughout the state, news, statistics and an events calendar. 

MHA is also a founding member of Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee (PSGM):

 

Suicide Prevention

QUICK  LINKS

Wisconsin Suicide Data
Risk and Protective Factors
Impact of Trauma
Suicide Prevention Resources

YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION

Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit
Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Final Report
Youth Suicide Prevention Resources and Best Practices

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.

Click here for the Burden of Suicide Report and county-level information sheets released in 2008  >>

 

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

Consumers and practitioners are increasingly recognizing the impact of trauma as a contributing risk factor to mental health disorders and suicide. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study identified how trauma in childhood was correlated with a variety of poorer health outcomes. For more information see the following:

For information about the ACE Study see: http://www.cdc.gov/ace/index.htm

Trauma Exposure Among Select Wisconsin Families in the Child Welfare System: Click here.

A Trauma Informed Understanding of Suicidality, a powerpoint by Elizabeth Hudson, Trauma Informed Care Consultant to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services: http://66.185.30.201/data/sites/16/media/webinars/tic-and-suicide.ppt

National Center for Trauma-Informed Care http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/

Wisconsin's ACE Study: http://wctf.state.wi.us/index.php?section=adverse-childhood

 

Suicide Prevention Resources

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 available via the Department of Public Instruction.