Home > About Us > News > 2008 News and Newsletters
BryanLGH and Lincoln Public Schools Implement Suicide Prevention Program
For Release: Immediately
Date: June 3, 2008
Contact: Stacy Bingham, 481-8689
Number: 08-5
LINCOLN, Neb. — BryanLGH Medical Center is partnering with Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) to help school staff, students and parents identify individuals at-risk for suicide. Lincoln Public Schools received a $346,583 grant from the Department of Education called “Grants to Improve The Mental Health of Children.” A portion of this grant will help LPS implement the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program into Lincoln middle and high schools, starting the fall semester of 2008.
SOS is a comprehensive program that has been shown to reduce suicide and increase awareness among teens to seek help. It will be implemented at the sixth and tenth grade levels, in addition to current suicide awareness and prevention efforts.
Dave Miers, manager of program development and outpatient mental health services at BryanLGH Medical Center, serves as the chair for the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition that helped coordinate this training and community program. He states:
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Nebraska youth (ages 15-19).
- Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old.
- Among young people aged 10-14 years, the suicide rate has doubled in the last two decades.
- It is estimated that one out of every ten adolescents will attempt suicide before the age of 19.
- Only 36 percent of teens at-risk for suicide receive help for their problems.
- At least 100,000 adolescents die by suicide every year.
- Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings.
Don Belau, PhD, and co-chair of the Nebraska Suicide Prevention Coalition will spearhead staff training for Lincoln Public Schools. BryanLGH mental health staff members will present information about community resources available to the schools and public.
BryanLGH offers the region’s most comprehensive mental health services for youth and adults with programs ranging from emergency mental health care to outpatient counseling and specialized inpatient programs for all ages. The BryanLGH mental health emergency department provides emergency mental health care/crisis assessments 24-hours a day, seven days a week to determine if hospitalization is needed. In an emergency go to BryanLGH West, 2300 S. 16th St.
What can parents do?
A free community forum called “Recognizing & Responding to Threats of Adolescent Self-Harm & Suicide” led by Don Belau, PhD, will be held:
Wed., June 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
BryanLGH Medical Center East
1600 S. 48th St.
The program will address warning signs, influences such as texting and websites, and possible steps an adult can take if concerned about the safety of a child or adolescent. In addition, the SOS (Signs of Suicide) program being implemented at Lincoln Public Schools will be introduced at this seminar. To register for this free community program, call 481-8886.
