Local News
DHS Rolls Out 5-Year Plan To Reduce Suicides In Wisconsin
September is Suicide Prevention Month, but prevention is a year-round job. To address the growing problem of suicide and suicide behavior in Wisconsin, a public-private partnership involving the Department of Health Services has just released a “call to action” to guide and support suicide prevention in the state over the next five years.
“This report provides a blueprint to bring together state resources, both public and private, in an organized effort to provide services and supports that save lives,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “This not only includes increasing access to services to help those who are contemplating suicide, but also eliminating stigma so that people feel comfortable reaching out for the help they need.”
Wisconsin’s suicide rate rose 40 percent between 2000 and 2017. From 2013-2017, suicide rates were highest among individuals ages 45-54. In that same time period, suicide rates were higher in rural counties than urban/suburban counties. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, while women are more likely to be hospitalized with self-harm injuries than men. In 2019, 850 Wisconsin residents died by suicide.
People in suicidal crisis or emotional distress can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOPELINE to 741741 for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can find more in-depth details here: