The Wisconsin Department of Health Services got a five-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent suicide in the state — and those dollars will make their way to rural communities.
DHS Chief Medical Officer for Community Health Dr. Jasmine Zapata says they will be targeting two groups with the highest suicide attempt rates: Wisconsin females ages 10-19, and rural Wisconsin males ages 25-64. Rural Wisconsin males have the highest rate of death by suicide.
She says there are several mental health risk factors in rural Wisconsin: shortage of mental health care, stigma around mental health, geographic isolation, social isolation, substance abuse, access to firearms, and financial hardship. One group in particular that is a focus — farmers and ranchers.
The award is for $868,730, with similar funding expected for each of the next four years. Wisconsin is one of six states to secure this funding through a competitive grant process.
The money will be used to reduce deaths through several strategies, including establishing partnerships with groups involved in mental health and suicide prevention, while also engaging people with lived experience of suicide loss, attempts, and/or ideation.
According to DHS, in the last 20 years, suicide in Wisconsin has increased 32 percent. And suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the state, taking the lives of nearly 900 Wisconsin residents in 2020.
“We cannot continue to lose our family, friends, or members of our communities to suicide,” says DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “This landmark funding from the CDC will help save lives and save many from the unique and difficult pain of losing someone to suicide.”
People experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders can call:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call or text 988 or use the chat feature at https://www.988lifeline.org/
24/7 Farmer Wellness Hotline – 1-888-901-2558
Wisconsin Farm Center Helpline – 1-800-942-2474
Farm Aid – 800-FARM-AID
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