Suicide Prevention | Safe Communities Madison WI

don’t ignore the signs, get help

In Dane County we lose 50-60 people each year to suicide; 500 are hospitalized or admitted to emergency departments due to injuries sustained during suicide attempts. Suicide is the number one cause of violent death: 74% of violent deaths are suicides.

The good news: research tells us that 90% of people who die from suicide have a treatable mental illness or a substance abuse disorder. We know that suicide is often preventable with education, treatment and support. Because suicide is such a complex public health problem the Surgeon General recommends that we engage in prevention strategies community by community to be effective.

SUICIDE CRISIS LINE

Dane County Suicide Crisis Line: (608) 280-2600

National Suicide Prevention Line:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
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Safe Communities is not a counseling or crisis center and does not provide direct services. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

our programs

We are currently focusing on three major program initiatives:

ZERO SUICIDE INITIATIVE

Safe Communities is coordinating a Zero Suicide partnership that includes all area health care systems, as well as community organizations with a role to play in suicide prevention. The initiative is modeled after Henry Ford Health Care System’s program, which demonstrated an 80% reduction in suicide among health care plan members.

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QPR TRAINING

Safe Communities offers a free QPR (Question Persuade Refer) training where participants learn the warning signs for suicide, how to offer hope, and how to seek help to save a life.

QPR is CPR for Suicide Prevention.

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GUN SHOP PROJECT

Safe Communities launched a replication of New Hampshire’s Project Connect Guns Shop Project in 2016. The program is promoted on Harvard University’s Means Matters website as a means reduction strategy.

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