Clermont holding youth summit on suicide prevention

The Centers for Disease Control reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 25-34 year olds, and the third leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year olds.

In 2009, six youth completed suicide in Clermont County.  Suicide is a public health issue that is often difficult to talk about; however, with awareness and education of the signs of suicide, we as a community can decrease the suicide rate. 

The Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio, and the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board will host a youth summit about local suicide prevention efforts from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at UC Clermont College in Batavia.

"All 10 of the county's high schools will have young people attending the summit to discuss with mental health professionals how they perceive suicide prevention efforts in the county," Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition Coordinator Virginia Dennis said. "We hope the summit will provide us with valuable information on why some youth perceive suicide as an answer to their problems, and what strategies local youth believe would decrease the rate of suicides."

The CDC reports that among young adults, ages 15 to 24 years old, there are approximately 100-200 attempts for every completed suicide.

Data collected from the summit will be presented at a town hall meeting in April.

Sponsors of the youth summit include UC Clermont College, Amelia Wal-Mart, United Dairy Farmers, Mayfield Dairy, Amelia Pizza Hut, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, ESP Printing, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Panera Bread, and Kroger.

For more information about the youth summit on suicide prevention, Give Us the Scoop, contact Virginia Dennis at (513) 721-2910, or Associate Director of the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board Lee Ann Watson, at (513) 732-5400.