The Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group has created the "Let's Talk campaign.  It has people talking about Suicide Awareness and Prevention efforts in Kentucky.  

For more information regarding the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group or ways that you or your community can get involved in suicide prevention, call (502) 564-4456 or contact one of the people below.  It's finally time to talk about suicide.

To learn more about the campaign or for a copy of the full-length "Let's Talk: Kentuckians Affected by Suicide End the Silence" video, which runs approximately 28 minutes, contact Jan Ulrich  (contact info below)

Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group, Kentucky Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Addiction Services, 100 Fair Oaks Lane, 4E-D, Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: (502) 564-4456                    TTY: (502) 564-5777                    Fax: (502) 564-9010

Michael McFarland, State Coordinator
(502) 564-4456, Ext. 4518
Email: 

Jan Ulrich, SPYCE Technical Assistance and Youth Media Specialist
(502) 564-4456, Ext. 4436
Email:  jan.ulrich@ky.gov

Following is a small sample of the campaign. 

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  • Suicide is a leading cause of death for Kentuckians. Yet suicide is one of the most preventable forms of death.

  • 64% of Kentuckians know at least one person who has attempted or died by suicide.

  • 33.8% consider themselves to be a suicide survivor
    (who has lost a loved one or close friend to suicide).

  • Experts believe most suicidal people don’t want to die, they just want to end their pain. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.

 



  

 

Help Stop Suicide
Suicide is permanent and usually preventable.

Even so, each year Kentucky loses close to 600 people from death by suicide. To help reduce these deaths, the Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services invited various 

community leaders to establish the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Planning Group in 2002. In 2006, the Department for Mental Health was awarded a three year Garrett Lee Smith Memorial, SAMHSA Grant to help decrease suicide deaths and attempts across the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, training and evaluation.

However, we need all Kentuckians to become active in the reduction of suicide attempts and deaths in the Commonwealth. Suicide is a serious public health issue. Take a look at these statistics:
  • Kentucky loses three times as many citizens to suicide
    as to homicide.
  • Kentucky’s suicide death rate is the 17th highest in the nation.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Kentuckians
    15 to 34 years old.
  • Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 35 to 54 year olds.
  • Our elderly have a higher suicide rate than the national average.
  • Firearms caused 66 percent of suicide deaths in Kentucky.
  • 2920 suicide attempts resulted in inpatient hospital admissions in Kentucky during 2003.

Suicidal behavior is complex and frightening. But, help is available and there are often warning signs. That means together we can reduce this act that devastates so many if we are educated and pay close attention to each other.

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Silence Perpetuates Suicide
Several Kentuckians are choosing to talk about suicide and how it has touched their lives in these video testimonials. In doing so, they hope to dispel myths, remove the stigma that keeps death by suicide shrouded in silence and offer healing for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Click here to view more stories told by Kentuckians affected by suicide.

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Quick Links to Regional Suicide Prevention Resources
Select your area of the Kentucky map below to view various available suicide prevention resources.
Click here to view ALL available Kentucky resources.
QPR Trainers get more info here.

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