- Suicide is a leading cause of death for Kentuckians. Yet suicide is one of the most preventable forms of death.
- 64% of Kentuckians know at least one person who has attempted or died by suicide.
- 33.8% consider themselves to be a suicide survivor
(who has lost a loved one or close friend to suicide).
- Experts believe most suicidal people don’t want to die, they just want to end their pain. When suicidal behaviors are detected early, lives can be saved.
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Help Stop Suicide
Suicide is permanent and usually preventable.
 Even so, each year Kentucky loses close to 600 people from death by suicide. To help reduce these deaths, the Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services invited various community leaders to establish the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Planning Group in 2002. In 2006, the Department for Mental Health was awarded a three year Garrett Lee Smith Memorial, SAMHSA Grant to help decrease suicide deaths and attempts across the Commonwealth through advocacy, education, training and evaluation.
However, we need all Kentuckians to become active in the reduction of suicide attempts and deaths in the Commonwealth. Suicide is a serious public health issue. Take a look at these statistics:
- Kentucky loses three times as many
citizens to suicide
as to homicide.
- Kentucky’s suicide death rate is the
17th highest in the nation.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of
death for Kentuckians
15 to 34 years old.
- Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death
for 35 to 54 year olds.
- Our elderly have a higher suicide rate
than the national average.
- Firearms caused 66 percent of
suicide deaths in Kentucky.
- 2920 suicide attempts resulted in
inpatient hospital admissions in
Kentucky during 2003.
Suicidal behavior is complex and frightening. But, help is available and there are often warning signs. That means together we can reduce this act that devastates so many if we are educated and pay close attention to each other.
 Give An Hour: Veterans Mental Health Support Initative
- "Give and Hour" is a nonprofit organization providing FREE mental health services to US military personnel and families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Click here to learn more.
News and Event Headlines
- Saturday, June 27 — "Ride to Survive". Bikes and cars are welcome to join us in this fun ride, as we support Suicide Awareness in loving memory of those who are no longer with us. The ride starts in Mt. Washington and ends at My Old Kentucky Home Park. Call John at (502) 644-5877 for more information.
- View Ride to Survive Event Flyer.
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Silence Perpetuates Suicide
 Several Kentuckians are choosing to talk about suicide and how it has touched their lives in these video testimonials. In doing so, they hope to dispel myths, remove the stigma that keeps death by suicide shrouded in silence and offer healing for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. |
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Click here to view more stories told by Kentuckians affected by suicide. |
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Quick Links to Regional Suicide Prevention Resources
Select your area of the Kentucky map below to view various available suicide prevention resources.
Click here to view ALL available Kentucky resources.
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Email Updates
