Zero Suicide: One Death is Too Many

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. At Heartland, we have adopted the Zero Suicide framework for reducing completed suicides within our community.

Kansas is ranked 17^th in the nation for its high suicide rate. It is the 2^nd leading cause of death for ages 10-44, 5th leading cause of death for ages 45-54, 8th leading cause of death for ages 55-64, and 17^th for ages 65+. Overall, it is the 10^th leading cause of death in Kansas. More than 5 times as many people died by suicide in 2019 than in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents. 67.9% of communities in the state of Kansas did not have enough mental health providers to serve their residents in 2020. 

There are 3.9 male deaths by suicide for each female death, however there are 3 female attempts for each male attempt. Firearm suicides are the most common among both male and females. Poisoning is the most common survived attempt. 41% of trans adults say they have attempted suicide. 2SLGTBQIA+ kids are 3Xs more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual counterparts. 

For every 1 suicide death in the United States; 4 have been hospitalized for suicide attempts, 8 emergency room visits have been related to suicide, 27 self-reported suicide attempts, and 275 people who have seriously considered suicide. Of completed suicides; firearms were 52.8%, Suffocation was 27.2%, poisoning was 12%, and all other forms were the remaining 8%. 

As individuals working in healthcare, we view it as our duty to assist those in need. The more aware we are of a pandemic, outbreak, global killer, or other significant cause of mass death, the better we are able to treat and prevent. The more comfortable we are in having these conversations, the more lives we can touch and more lives we can save.