Simpson County Health Department
1131 South College Street
Franklin, Kentucky 42134
PH: 270-586-8261 l FAX: 270-586-8264
Served by Barren River District Health Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 2, 2007
Contact Person: Crissy Rowland
(270) 781-8039 ext. 120, crissyg.rowland@ky.gov <mailto:crissyg.rowland@ky.gov>
SUICIDE…A PREVENTABLE INJURY?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2004 suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, with 32,439 lives lost due to self-inflicted injuries. From 1999-2003, 2,588 people in Kentucky have committed suicide, ranking Kentucky 16th in the nation for suicide. Simpson County made up 14 of these lives. The Barren River District Health Department is committed to making our community a healthier and safer place to live. Every month the health department looks at data collected from the emergency rooms at local hospitals about what types of unintentional injuries affect the people living in our district. Unfortunately, included in this data are undetermined injuries as to accidental or purposely inflicted.
In the unintentional injury category of Injury Undetermined Whether Accidentally or Purposely Inflicted, Simpson County reported a total of 39 injuries. The age group with the largest number of injuries was the 16-19 year olds totaling 9 injuries. The sub-category of Poisoning by Solid or Liquid Substance had the greatest number of reported injuries with 37 cases.
So now that we know that this problem affects Simpson County, what do we do about prevention? The first thing is to recognize the warning signs. The Jason Foundation gives the following warning signs of possible suicide attempts:
Talking about suicide
Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
A deepening depression
Preoccupation with death
Taking unnecessary risks or exhibiting self-destructive behavior
Out of character behavior
A loss of interest in the things one cares about
Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order
Giving away prized possessions
Concerned family and friends should also keep in mind the following circumstances that often precede a suicide or suicide attempt:
Relationship problems with romantic interests
In adolescents and teens, problems with parents
Substance abuse
Legal trouble or upcoming disciplinary crisis
Most people who attempt to commit suicide either have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder or symptoms of a psychiatric disorder. For example, mood disorders such as major depression or bipolar disease.
If someone you care about displays any signs of contemplating suicide, don’t ignore your instincts. Talk to your loved one about your concerns and tell him/her that you care and want to help. Find out through direct questions what their plans are. The more detailed the plan, the greater risk that they will follow through. The National Mental Health Association gives the following Do’s and Don’ts when talking to someone who could be suicidal:
Do get professional help, even if the person resists
Do remember that the most important thing is to listen
Do Not act shocked or judge the person
Do Not counsel the person
Do Not swear to secrecy
Do Not leave the person alone
The Barren River District Health Department wants Simpson Countians to get the help they need if they or someone they care about are at risk of committing suicide. There are several sources for help, if you know someone in need. Call the person’s doctor or therapist, or if that is not possible, you can call LifeSkills. They have a HELP Line for emergencies, staffed with mental health professionals and services are based on a sliding scale fee. LifeSkills’ emergency number for suicide crisis is
1-800-223-8913.
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PROMOTE • PROTECT • PREVENT
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