In 2007, the South Central Chapter of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) has been actively working on youth suicide issues and preparing for another Depression and Suicide Prevention Summit in May. Click on the links below for more information about these campaigns:

2007 Suicide Prevention Summit - Registration Brochure

Prevent Youth Suicide Brochure

Prevent Youth Suicide Billboard

During 2004-05, a group of concerned mental health professionals, medical providers, educators, and community members researched and wrote a suicide prevention plan for south central Idaho. The plan mirrors Idaho’s suicide prevention plan, developed to help address the problem of suicide in Idaho. Idaho has a higher suicide rate than the United States as a whole.

Suicide and Depression Statistics

Suicide

Suicide is a complex problem, resulting from one or more biological, psychological, environmental, social and/or cultural factors. Known risks include mental disorders, alcohol and substance use disorders, financial or relationship losses, lack of social support, barriers to care, and a sense of hopelessness.

Suicide is a significant problem in the United States and in Idaho. During the years 1990-2000, on average, more than 30,000 individuals died each year in the United States from suicide. Only unintentional injuries (“accidents”) surpassed suicide as the reported leading cause of death for 25 to 34 year olds in 2000. Suicide trailed unintentional injuries and homicides as the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Idaho consistently has had a higher suicide rate than the United States as a whole. While the age-adjusted suicide rate decreased slightly from 2001 to 2002, from 16.5 suicides per 100,000 people to 15.5, the rate remains considerably higher than the U.S. rate of 10.6. From 1999-2001, 559 Idahoans died from suicide. It was second only to unintentional injury as the leading cause of death for Idahoans aged 15 to 34, and the ninth leading cause of death overall. ( Idaho Vital Statistics, 2002). Suicide is most common among those aged 65 and older.

The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) relates an alarming rate: the 12-month average rate of suicide attempts among youth is currently 9% -- the Healthy People 2010 goal is 1%.

Males usually have a higher rate of suicide than females. In 1999, the age-adjusted Idaho resident suicide rate for males was significantly higher than for females. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females; however, females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males.

Depression

Depression is also a multi-faceted problem. Those most susceptible to depression are those individuals with chronic diseases, the elderly, and those with substance abuse problems.

Mental illness affects approximately 20 percent of Americans each year, and no one is immune. It can affect children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens of all ethnic and racial groups, both genders, and people at all educational and income levels.

Major depression is the leading cause of disability and leads to two-thirds of suicides each year. Fortunately, available medications and psychological treatments, alone or in combination, can help 80% of those who suffer from depression. However, lack of insurance coverage, low insurance reimbursement rates, and the stigma of depression prevent many from seeking care. (Public Health Districts’ Strategic Plan, 2004).

The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicates that one in four high school students reported that in the previous 12 months they felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some usual activities.

The Costs of Suicide and Depression

The costs of depression have been estimated at $43 billion (direct and indirect) per year, not including pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. (American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry). For persons who have attempted suicide, the annual cost of providing health care was estimated at $116.4 million in 1989. (National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, 1995).

Treatment Approaches

The most promising current approach to suicide prevention appears to be the early identification and treatment of individuals suffering from mental disorders. At least 90% of all people who commit suicide have a mental or substance abuse disorder, or a combination of disorders. Since suicide is difficult to predict, preventive interventions that focus on risk factors such as access to lethal methods and recognition and treatment of mental and substance abuse disorders are among the most promising approaches to suicide prevention. (Healthy People 2010, Dept. of Health and Human Services).