• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / A push to prevent suicide

A push to prevent suicide

September 15, 2008 By WRN Contributor

There’s a push for the state to make more of an effort to prevent suicides in Wisconsin. Suicide claims an average of 650 lives each year in Wisconsin; almost three times the statewide homicide rate. In addition, Shel Gross of Mental Health America says nearly 9,000 Wisconsinites are treated as a result of injuries from failed suicide attempts. In 2006, the medical costs from those injuries totaled $64 million.

Gross says barriers to mental health care are a major problem. Mental illness is a leading factor in those who attempt suicide, and Gross says a lack of care in many communities only makes the problem much worse.

Communities also need to help the public recognize the signs that a person may be suicidal. Gross says educational efforts are needed to help make people more aware of suicidal behaviors. Gross says the families of many suicide victims only recognize the signs after it’s too late.

In Wisconsin, the greatest number of suicide deaths was among 35-54-year-old males. Veterans account for nearly 20-percent of all suicides, much as they do nationally. For attempted suicides, youth between the ages of 15-24 had the highest rate of hospital visits. 

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :59)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine



Featured Stories

Future of abortion in Wisconsin hinges on SCOTUS ‘Roe’ decision

Juvenile arrested in connection with death of Lily Peters

Missing Chippewa Falls girl found dead, police seek suspect

Medical marijuana legislation gets public hearing at Capitol

Tommy Thompson announces he will not run for governor

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC