Suicide - Shocking Statistics

• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 - 24 nationally.
• 90% of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of death. 60% of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depression - the most treatable of psychiatric illnesses.
• Firearms account for 60% of all suicides. Firearms are used in more suicides than in homicides.
• The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a Call to Action that resulted in the U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Click on the links below for more information

California Strategic Plan on Suicide Prevention

San Diego Statistics

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program®

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program® is a community-based program primarily developed to address youth/teen/young adult suicide (ages 10-25) through public awareness campaigns, education and training and by helping communities build capacity. The program assists and empowers communities in identifying resources, building their infrastructure, and educating adults and youth alike through safe and effective suicide prevention messaging to ask for help for themselves and how to respond to others asking for help. The program helps reduce stigma associated with asking for help and strengthens the link between young people and professional help.

October, 2011 marks our foundation’s 14th anniversary of working to save lives in San Diego County. During that time we have distributed nearly 800,000 Yellow Ribbon Lifeline Cards and have provided comprehensive suicide prevention education for over 220,000 middle/high school staff, students and parents. In addition we provide suicide prevention presentations and training as well as technical assistance for government agencies, military, law enforcement, colleges, health classes, after-school programs, parent organizations, civic groups, service clubs, health & wellness fairs and community based organizations.

The Be A Link!® Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training and Ask 4 Help!® Suicide Prevention for Youth are listed on the Best Practices Registry: Adherence to Standards of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). The content of practices listed on the registry address specific goals of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and is found to meet standards of accuracy, safety and programmatic guidelines.

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