Suicide prevention is topic for statewide summit Jan. 29

Released on 01/11/2010, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

WHERE: Bryan LGH West Conference Center, 2300 S. 16th Street

Lincoln, Neb., January 11th, 2010 —

A Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Summit will be convened Jan. 29 to provide an overview of suicide as a public health concern in Nebraska, present opportunities to discuss local needs on suicide prevention and feature an introduction to proven suicide prevention practices.

The event is 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at BryanLGH West Conference Center, 1600 S. 16th St., and will be videocast to sites across Nebraska via the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network. The summit is co-sponsored by Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, BryanLGH Medical Center, Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.

The keynote speaker is Tom Osborne, University of Nebraska Athletic Director. Participants will hear a statewide inventory of suicide prevention practices, have small group discussions and report back on community suicide prevention activities and needs, have an introduction to evidence-based, best practices to prevent suicide by Elana Premack-Sandler of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and receive technical assistance to apply for upcoming youth suicide prevention seed grants.

Anyone working with youths or adults including community members, professionals, suicide survivors, or youth or adults interested in promoting suicide prevention practices in their communities will find the seminar of interest. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Nebraska youth ages 15-19. In 2006, Nebraska's suicide rate for youth ages 10-24 was 11.86 per 100,000 people, exceeding the national rate of 7.14. Every 2 hours and 5 minutes there is a teenager in the United States who has lost his or her life to suicide.

The summit is part of a larger statewide suicide prevention initiative. For more information about the initiative, visit www.hhs.state.ne.us/newsroom/newsreleases/2009/Sep/grant.htm. For more information and registration for this event, visit www.suicideprevention.nebraska.edu.

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