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History

In June 1998, the family of a 13-year old 7th grader received the devastating news that their son had ended his life by suicide. The news shocked the quiet, rural community of Carson Valley. In response to deep suffering and community need, a group of educators, clergy, community leaders, law enforcement and parents established the Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) non-profit agency in 1999. SPN is prevention-based and dedicated to educate, inform and support community members.

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SPN has grown into an agency which provides prevention and educational resources; peer and grief support groups; coordinated services and referrals for individuals and families; community awareness events; and resources for law enforcement and first responder personnel when working with families affected by suicide.
 

The Suicide Prevention Network Board of Directors has made it their mission to spread awareness through education, intervention and support. The non-profit agency has partnered with other community coalitions to provide materials, training, conferences and support groups free of charge to educate the community on the warning signs and issues surrounding a person’s choice to end their life.

Statistics

Suicide rates have almost steadily increased during the 21st century, affecting both males and females across nearly every age and race. In 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a call to action for a national suicide prevention strategy and an advisory for youth mental health services in response to this ongoing rise in suicides.

  • In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide was the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States.

  • In 2022, 49,476 Americans lost their lives to suicide. From 2021 to 2022, there was a 2.1% increase in the suicide rate, marking the highest number of suicides ever recorded in the USA. 

  • According to the 2022 National Survey of Drug Use and Mental Health, an estimated 0.6% of adults aged 18 or older made at least one suicide attempt. This means 1.6 million Americans made suicide attempts. 

  • Specifically, there were 39,255 male suicides compared to 10,194 female suicides. This indicates that men died by suicide approximately 3.85 times more than women in 2022. Although males make up 50% of the U.S. population, they account for about 80% of suicide deaths in the country. 

  • In 2022, White males had a provisional age-adjusted suicide rate of 28.2 per 100,000 people, according to provisional data released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). 

  • In a Suicide Prevention Now survey, 94% of U.S. adults believe that suicide is preventable. In 2022, 96% of U.S. adults said they would take action to help prevent suicide if someone close to them was considering it. 

  • 56% of firearm deaths were suicides, and 55% of all suicides were committed using firearms. Evidence consistently shows that access to firearms increases the risk of suicide. Having a firearm in the home makes the odds of suicide more than three times higher. 

  • 90% of individuals who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death, usually a depressive disorder or substance abuse disorder. 

  • In 2022, firearms accounted for 27,032 suicide deaths, suffocation for 12,247 deaths, and poisoning for 6,150 deaths. The number of gun suicides in 2022 was the leading cause of death and the highest on record, surpassing the previous year’s record. 

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OUR MISSION

To provide suicide prevention and awareness through intervention, education and support services for all.

 

OUR VISION

 

To be the champion in decreasing suicide and its impact on our community.

 

OUR GOAL

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To create a suicide-free community by eliminating the option of suicide as a solution for escaping depression, bullying, divorce, unemployment, loneliness, mental illness or any other cause for hopelessness.

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At Suicide Prevention Network, we believe that by bringing awareness and education to the workplace, schools, service clubs and homes, we have the opportunity to reduce this devastating loss of life across all ages. We know that without action there will be increased numbers of suicides in the local area. We all need to work together to educate, inform & support our community and prevent additional tragedies.

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