September is Suicide Prevention Month

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023, making it the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. Regional data from the RocHealthData map room show that county level rates range from 10.6 to 18.0, with higher rates in the rural counties.

At the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Peter Wyman, PhD, at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, and his colleagues have shown a 29% decrease in suicide attempts among high school students exposed to a school-wide program. The program trains diverse student leaders to share a model of healthy coping through their friendship networks. This randomized controlled trial assessing program impact had a total of 6500 students within 22 schools. Also at URMC, Arielle Sheftall, PhD, and her team at the Sheftall Lab, address concerns about youth suicide by investigating the potential risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and behavior, including the moderating effects of race and age.

This Friday, September 26, the Mental Health Association of Rochester and Partners for Suicide Prevention will present Break the Silence: A Suicide Prevention Conference. This half-day event will include topics including suicide prevention strategies as well as personal stories of hope and healing. The conference will be held at Monroe 2–Orleans BOCES Professional Development Center (3599 Big Ridge Rd., Spencerport, NY).