WMU Home > WMU News

WMU News

WMU News on Twitter

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Sept. 18, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University is redoubling its efforts this month to increase awareness about suicide.

The University has designated September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This year's theme is "A Global Agenda on the Science of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery."

Members of WMU's Suicide Prevention Program established the month-long observance to expand on World Suicide Prevention Day, which was Sept. 10, and national Suicide Prevention Week, which was Sept. 6-12.

Did you know?

  • The 11th leading cause of death in the United States is suicide, with one occurring on average every 16 minutes.
  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-years-olds.
  • Michigan ranked 10th in the nation in its rate of suicide deaths from 1999-2005.
  • Some 811,000 Americans attempt suicide each year.

To get the word out about how to help prevent suicide and where to go for help, the Suicide Prevention Program has been sponsoring a variety of activities for the WMU community, such as displaying information on all residence hall dining room napkin holders until Sept. 30.

Suicide Prevention Awareness activities

  • Distribution of Suicide Prevention Program Pins with Suicide Awareness ribbons
  • Circulation of a fact sheet to various University departments
  • Installation of an exhibit in one of the Bernhard Center's display cases
  • Creation of a PowerPoint presentation that can be shown to students at the beginning of faculty lectures

For more information about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, contact the WMU Suicide Prevention Program at (269) 387-1887. Visit www.uctc.wmich.edu/prevention to learn more about the program and prevention resources.

Share |

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news