Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force
635 N. Main
Wichita, Kansas 67203
Tel:  (316) 660-7600
Fax:  (316) 660-7510

 24 Hour Crisis Line
(316) 660-7500

2009 Suicide Prevention
Task Force Members

"Sedgwick County - Strengthening Lifelines"
Be Alert - Be Aware - Be Involved
Be-a-Link

Youth Suicide Fact Sheet

A Day of Healing for Survivors of Suicide

On Saturday, November 21, 2009, simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place throughout the U.S. and internationally. This unique network of healing conferences helps survivors connect with others who have survived the tragedy of suicide loss and express and understand the powerful emotions they experience.

The Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition will host National Survivors of Suicide Day on November 21 at Via Christi St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita. View flier for further information and registration.

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Risk Assessment of Mentally Ill Clients Seminar

The Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force is dedicated to providing education and awareness regarding the prevention of suicide in our community.

On Wednesday, September 9, 2009, the task force will bring Phillip Resnick, M.D. to Wichita. Dr. Resnick is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Forensic Psychiatry at Case School of Medicine in Cleveland.  This is a no-charge event open to physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, law enforcement, business and industry, attorneys, schools and community organizations.  Continuing education credits will be awarded. 

Please see the flier for more information regarding this event.  If you would like to register for this event, you may e-mail Bev Baalman at bbaalman@sedgwick.gov or call 316-660-7652.

The Economy and Suicide

The current world economic crisis has led to increased media and personal interest in the relationship between the economy and suicide.  To read more about this topic from the American Association of Suicidology, click here.

If a family member or friend mentions suicide, take it seriously. Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 316-660-7500.

Link 4 Life Run

Report Finds Rise in Suicide Among White, Middle-Aged Americans

Middle-aged white Americans are an emerging high-risk group for potential suicide, according to a study published in the December American Journal of Preventive Medicine [35(6):589-593]. Before 1999, white middle-aged men were the least likely to kill themselves. However, for the period from 1999 to 2005, the rate for African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans declined or stayed stable even as middle-aged whites experienced a significant increase in suicides. The total number of suicides in the United States between 1986 and 1999 decreased by 1.2% each year, but in 2000, this trend reversed. From that year through 2005, the rate of suicide among whites ages 40 to 64 increased about 3% from year to year, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase. The researchers also conducted a detailed analysis of suicide methods across specific population groups. While firearms remain the predominant method, the rate of firearm suicides decreased during the study period. Suicide by hanging or suffocation increased markedly with a 6.3% annual increase among men and a 2.3% annual increase among women. Hanging/suffocation accounted for 22% of all suicides by 2005, surpassing poisoning at 18%. The study recommends development of prevention programs for people in their middle years and preventive attention to the notable increases in suicide by hanging/suffocation in men and by poisoning in women.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. To promote the hopeful and healing message of recovery, COMCARE of Sedgwick County’s Addiction Treatment Services (ATS) is participating in the 18^th annual observance of this event.