Suicide Prevention
In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24. But suicide doesn’t just affect the young. Our country’s middle aged (45-64) and elderly (65 and over) populations also grapple with the issue of suicide. Every minute someone attempts suicide and every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide. It’s an issue that affects all ages. In the aftermath of a suicide, family, friends and the community-at-large are often left with unanswered questions and a need for resources to cope with the grief that they feel.
A mission of the Community Affairs Unit at the District Attorney’s Office is to prevent suicide in Bristol County by raising awareness and by providing access to education and resources that relate to suicide prevention. We work very closely with local suicide prevention groups, our regional prevention coalition and with numerous other partners toward our shared goal of preventing suicide in Bristol County. Studies indicate that the best methods for prevention come from early recognition and treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses.
The Community Affairs Unit collaborates with agencies such as the Bristol County Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention, the Greater New Bedford Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Taunton MA Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Fall River Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Greater Attleboro Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Samaritans of Bristol County and other partners with a shared goal of preventing suicide in Bristol County. The Community Affairs Unit has also distributed SAMSHA’s Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools to all public high schools, charter schools and alternative schools in Bristol County. Massachusetts state law requires educators to be trained in suicide prevention every three years. This guide contains important information about the type of curriculum and screening tools that school districts may employ to meet this expectation.
Suicide Prevention Video
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III through his community funding program was pleased to provide financial support to the students and staff at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School so that they could produce this very important Public Service Announcement on Suicide Prevention.
Helpful Resources
Suicide Prevention Brochure
SAMSHA Suicide Prevention for High Schools Toolkit
Survivors of Suicide Resources
Hotlines
SAMARITANS 24-Hour Helpline
1-877-870-HOPE (1-877-870-4673)
SAMARITEENS
1-800-252-TEEN (1-800-252-8336)
VETERANS CRISIS LINE
1-800-273-8255 & Press “1”
TREVOR PROJECT for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24
1-866-488-7386
Additional Online Resources
Learn about SAMHSA’s Suicide Safe App!
www.afsp.org
www.jasonfoundation.com
www.jedfoundation.org
www.masspreventssuicide.org
www.samaritans.org
www.samaritansusa.org
www.samaritanshope.org
www.samaritans-bristolcounty.org
www.save.org
www.sprc.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.suicidology.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.veteranscrisisline.net
www.yellowribbon.org