The Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley and Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare have launched the third installment of their Spreading Kindness Card campaign.
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The state Section of Epidemiology published preliminary data last week showing that Alaska’s suicide rate hasn’t gone up in 2020, though unintentional drug overdoses are continuing an upward trend from previous years.
Alaska’s suicide rate remains among the highest in the country around 30 deaths per 100,000 people. It’s the leading cause of death among Alaska youth over the age of 15. Beverly Schoonover, director of the statewide Suicide Prevention Council, says this has been an issue long before COVID-19 hit.
“Last year, both attempts, ideation and completions were much higher than we want to see. This has been an ongoing problem, you know, and it s not just the pandemic that s contributing to that.”
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Nation-First Approach to Suicide Prevention
In a nation-first, the Marshall Liberal Government is acting to legislate the state’s suicide prevention framework, following community consultation.
The Bill, to be taken to Parliament next year, will establish a whole-of-community and whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Bill would make suicide prevention and postvention a priority throughout government agencies and the community.
“The Marshall Government has made a commitment to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for South Australians, and this new community-driven, nation-leading approach will help us deliver on that promise,” Minister Wade said.