We don’t always know why, we don’t know what could have been, WE ONLY KNOW:
In America, nearly 1 million people attempt suicide each year.
One person completes suicide every 16 minutes.
Nationally, suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24, however
in West Virginia it is the SECOND leading cause of death for this age group.
90% of the individuals who die by suicide have a treatable mental illness or substance
abuse disorder.
Suicide is a PREVENTABLE death. Suicide is an issue that can no longer be ignored,
but acknowledged, as a matter of public health and concern. As a community, as individuals,
we can provide the options, interventions, and preventions to help assist those
in need, creating a competent and compassionate environment for our youth.
The Adolescent Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention
(ASPEN) program is funded through Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Federal Grant Funds
and partners with the West Virginia Council for the Prevention of Suicide and the
Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities in order to promote suicide prevention
and early intervention in West Virginia. Specifically, the program enhances suicide
prevention in providing trainings, and materials for professionals and individuals
from various perspectives, encompassing a wide array of schools, agencies, and community
organizations across the state of West Virginia; and early intervention in developing
and implementing mobile quick response services in targeted areas. We are honored
to participate in the effort to facilitate prevention and intervention in order
to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the individuals within our community.
ASPEN-Providing for a better TOMORROW