*You're not alone. Confidential help is available for free. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or speak to a counselor in the Lifeline Chat. You can also text the word HOME to 741741 or if you're younger, call 1-800-668-6868.*
We took a break from The Score Pre-Game Pep Rally this week to talk about a very serious problem that impacts every single one of us - suicide. Specifically, youth suicide.
Facts and Figures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it's the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24 - resulting in approximately 4,600 lives lost each year.
A nationwide survey of high school students in the United States found that 16% of students reported seriously considering suicide, 13% created a plan, and 8% tried to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey.
What's more - suicide among teens and young adults has nearly tripled since the 1940s.
Breakfast With...
On Friday, September 21st, GMQC had "Breakfast With..." Dr. Jeffrey Weyeneth from Genesis Health System as well as a local mother, Gail Rush, who shared her story about her daughter Courtney. Dr. Weyeneth runs the Behavioral Health Department at Genesis and Gail has shared Courtney's story several times with WQAD News 8. They talked about the trends, the warning signs, coping mechanisms, and the advice both have for parents and people in our community before and after a suicide takes place.
There was also a Facebook Live on the WQAD Facebook Page, which is embedded below:
Local Resources
Here is a list of resources in the Quad Cities Area:
Family Resources, (563) 445-0557
Robert Young, (309) 779-2031
Vera French, (563) 383-1900
Quad Cities Mental Health, (309) 764-5040
Transitions Mental Health Services, (309) 793-4993
NAMI - Greater Mississippi Valley, (563) 386-7477 ext. 266
National Resources
