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| Shatter The Silence—youth Sucide In Mississippi | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 4 2009, 11:42 AM (188 Views) | |
| Ell | May 4 2009, 11:42 AM Post #1 |
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Shatter the silence—youth sucide in Mississippi As Mississippians, we want what is best for our state. As parents, we want what is best for our children. We all share one common thread – the hope for a better tomorrow and a brighter future. However, we must open our eyes to see the silent epidemic that is affecting our young adults in this state – suicide. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in Mississippi for young people ages 15 – 24. The MS High School Survey for the Youth Risk Behavior (2007) reported that 13.4% of students seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months, and 10.6% of students made a plan about how they would commit suicide in the past 12 months. To combat this problem, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) is leading the way with a statewide youth suicide prevention campaign entitled, “Shatter the Silence – Suicide, The Secret You Shouldn’t Keep.” The campaign targets young adults in Mississippi. The campaign encourages youth to speak out if they or someone they know is thinking, writing or talking about suicide. We have developed educational materials and we offer presentations to junior high schools, high schools, and colleges across our state. One of the keys to a successful mental health system in Mississippi lies in prevention with young adults. If we don’t get to the kids, their families, schools, and communities by facilitating positive peer group interaction and sending a strong message about youth suicide then we really are not doing a whole lot. We feel strongly about mental health education for both parents and children. We must educate children and parents about mental health to help dispel the stigma associated with mental illness, which will increase help-seeking behaviors. As we recognize Children’s Mental Health Week in May, please remember that children are the future of our state, and we must work effectively and efficiently together to ensure they have a better tomorrow. This is why we believe so strongly in our Shatter the Silence campaign. We must join together and let these young people know they are not alone, and that they should not be ashamed to seek help. Funding for the Shatter the Silence project was made available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Hurricane Katrina-Related Youth Suicide Prevention Grants. http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_123000500.html |
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2:54 AM Jul 11