2012 National Suicide Awareness Week Event

There will be a 2012 National Suicide Awareness Week Event on September 13th from 7 to 9pm near Walgreen’s (grassy area in front of store) – along Douglas Highway in Gillette.

In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, claiming more than 36,000 lives each year. It is estimated that an attempt is made every minute, with close to one million people attempting suicide annually. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. among adults 18-65, the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults, and individuals ages 65 and older account for 16 percent of all suicide deaths.

Last year alone 127 lives were lost to suicide in Wyoming, with 12 of those from Campbell County. So far this year we have already lost 13 of our residents to suicide. Suicide is a public health issue that does not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. September 9th through 15th is National Suicide Awareness Week across the United States.

To call attention to this important week-long awareness campaign the Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council will display 127 luminaries representing the lives lost in Wyoming last year.

Please let the 127 flames remind you of this important issue and the free local and national hotlines available to help remind all Campbell County citizens that they are not alone:

24/7 Local Crisis Line (307) 688-5000

National Suicide Hotline 1(800) 273-TALK (8255)

For more information on the event or to find out how you can get involved please call Spring Wilkins with the Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council at (307) 696-8027.