If you are thinking about suicide or if you are worried about someone you know who may be at risk of suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

April 8th, 2008 Florida Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol Mark Your Calendars and Save the Date

For information: [click here]

Ending a Deadly Silence
Suicide is a serious public health problem which takes a tremendous toll on our Florida families and communities. Every year over 2,000 of Florida's citizens take their own lives. More than twice as many people die by suicide than homicide in Florida.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens and young adults ages 15-24. In 2004, there were 2,382 suicide deaths in Florida. Tragically, each day an average of 6 Floridians die by suicide.

It is a common misconception that suicide rates are highest among young people. People over the age of 65, especially men, have the highest suicide rates. Nevertheless, while suicide is a leading cause of death among teens and the highest rate is among the elderly, the highest toll is in our adult population. In fact, over 60% of suicides in Florida are adults between the ages of 25 and 64.

As these statistics show, suicide is one of the major causes of death for people of all ages, from their teens into old age. Despite this, suicide continues to be a silent killer - a silent epidemic in our communities. In order to prevent suicide we must begin by overcoming our reluctance to talk about it.

Research has shown that suicide is neither random nor inevitable. The knowledge and tools are available to approach suicide as a preventable problem with very realistic opportunities to save many lives.

Suicide is preventable. Through education and awareness we can increase our understanding of the tragedy of suicide, increase our ability to recognize the warning signs and clues that may indicate a person is in danger to him or herself, and know how to respond, what actions to take to ensure the person gets the help that is needed.

According to a recent study, more than one in five adults believe that "when someone has decided to take their own life, nothing can be done to stop it." Through research, we know this is not true.

The persons most likely to prevent a suicide are those closest to the individual contemplating suicide. Those with whom the at-risk person is most often in contact with, as well as those who love and care for him or her are in a position to see the warning signs and act upon them.

Suicide affects all of us. People of all ages, races, religions and income levels die by suicide. People who are popular, well-connected, and who seem to have everything going for them die by suicide as do people who are impoverished or alone. Suicides come from rich and poor, happy and sad, single and two-parent homes. Suicide can happen to anyone.

Please take the time to learn what you can do to help prevent suicide. Together we can end this deadly silence.




Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy

In January 2000, Governor Jeb Bush, recognizing that suicide is a serious problem, met with grass roots suicide prevention advocates. Following this meeting Governor Bush directed the Office of Drug Control to coordinate decreasing the incidence of suicide in Florida.

"The devastation of suicide impacts families throughout our state and remains a serious problem. Each life lost effects countless families, friends and loved ones with unimaginable sorrow and pain. Florida has taken a significant step toward preventing this tragedy by initiating the Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy to reduce the incidence of suicide in our state by one third by the end of 2010"
(Governor Jeb Bush, January 2005).

The purpose of the Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy is to serve as both a guide and an action agenda for preventing suicide in Florida, to have a lasting impact in bringing suicide to the forefront as a public issue, and over time to save thousands of lives that would otherwise be taken by their own hands.


A copy of the Florida Suicide Prevention Strategy Paper 2005-2010 (in .pdf format) is available for your downloading and review - Click here.