Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) | Reachout Hotline: 1-800-522-9054

Under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, ODMHSAS has initiated the Oklahoma Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.  ODMHSAS provided evidence-based youth suicide prevention programs (gatekeeper training and screening) throughout Oklahoma through local mental health prevention service providers, schools, youth-serving agencies, tribal governments, and colleges and universities.

Youth suicide in our state is a major public health problem. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in Oklahoma, and an astounding 15% of youth surveyed in Oklahoma report that they have seriously considered suicide. Whether it is suicide deaths, attempts, or related problems such as alcohol and other drug use or barriers to mental health services, your community likely has some level of risk for youth suicide. Download the Suicide Prevention Toolkit

Visit our Oklahoma Suicide Prevention page for more information and resources to view, download or print.

Community Members:  Click here to request a Suicide Prevention Training in your community (QPR, ASIST, Community Toolkit)

Suicide Prevention Trainers (QPR, ASIST, AMSR, Toolkit): Click here to Request Material and/or Schedule a Training

QPR Trainers (password required)
 

News

We would like to invite you to subscribe to the Oklahoma Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant newsfeed.  News articles, upcoming trainings, webinars, and research articles will be posted in this area.  We will also commence putting related materials for across the lifespan soon. http://www.ok.gov/odmhsas/oklahomasuicideprevention.xml

Help for Teen Suicide: After a spike in teen suicides, state health officials are planning a conference to address the problem. According to a survey by the CDC, more than 6-percent of high school students in Oklahoma have attempted suicide. Fox 25's Marisa Mendelson spoke with a parent who lost his son to suicide. Watch the story...
 

State Plan on Youth Suicide Prevention

State Plan on Youth Suicide Prevention

The Oklahoma Strategy for Suicide Prevention click here for pdf version.
 

Youth Suicide Prevention Council

In 2001, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Youth Suicide Prevention Act (House Bill 1241), which established the Youth Suicide Prevention Council and designated the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the lead agency for youth suicide prevention.The Youth Suicide Prevention Council members are legislatively appointed, and meetings are open to the public. 

The Council meets:
The Last Thursday of Every Month
Shepherd Mall
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
2401 NW 23rd, Suite 1F (on 2nd Floor at North end of the mall)
Oklahoma City, OK  73107
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Google map of Shepherd Mall

House Bill 1241: Youth Suicide Prevention Act
 

Suicide Facts

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, especially for young people ages 15-24. Although multiple factors contribute to suicide, at least 90 percent of all people who kill themselves have a mental disorder, a substance abuse disorder, or a combination of disorders.  Oklahoma ’s death rate for suicide exceeds that of the U.S.  Click here to learn more about suicide prevention efforts in Oklahoma and link to educational resources.

Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide

Suicide Risk and Protective Factors

Warning Signs of Suicide
 

Media

In a perfect world, the media’s role of reporting the truth and its job of serving the public good would not conflict. In the real world, however, these two roles can clash—and one of the areas in which this clash occurs is the media’s reporting on suicide. The suicide of an “ordinary” person can become news in his or her own community, and the suicide of a prominent person or celebrity can become national, and even international, news.

Unfortunately, the very service of reporting a suicide can encourage some people to attempt suicide themselves. While these suicides are not caused by media attention itself, there is a danger that people who are depressed or who perceive their personal problems as insurmountable may find in these reports a model of resolving their problems. 

Fortunately, reporting on suicide can be accomplished in ways that serve both the truth and the public health. There are steps the media can take to minimize the possibility that its coverage of suicide will contribute to additional suicides. There are also steps the media can take to proactively contribute to preventing suicide. (Suicide Prevention Resource Center—SPRC)

The Role of Media in Preventing Suicide
 

Click each title below to view, download or print.

For Communities

Clergy

Co-Workers

Employers

First Responders

Law Enforcement

Nurses

Physicians

Teachers

Social Workers/Counselors
 

For Youth

College Students

Teens
 

Helpful Links

American Association of Suicidology

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

LivingWorks

QPR Institute

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

SAMHSA

Suicide in America at a Glance

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

You Matter

 

Contact:
David Harris, MPH
Office (405) 522-3471 | Mobile (405) 420-9461

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
1200 NE 13th Street
PO Box 53277
Oklahoma City, OK  73152-3277
405-522-3908    405-522-3851 TDD    405-522-3650 Fax
Toll-Free, 24 Hours  1-800-522-9054 
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last update: 12/21/2012