Every 1 hour and 53 minutes in the U.S. we lose another young person by suicide.
That's a Columbine a day.
For every completed suicide by youth, approximately 100 to 200 attempts are made.
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds.
For every 2 homicides their are 3 suicides in the U.S.
Children as young as 5 have died by suicide.
The Beautiful Faces Above, All Died of Suicide.
SPEAK is an
independent organization in the state of Maryland, moving forward
with our mission:
To promote the prevention of youth suicide and working to dispel the
social stigma surrounding suicide and depression through a campaign
of education and awareness at the community level.
SPEAK
is the leader of suicide prevention in Maryland
Our accomplishments include some of the following:
Getting the Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline Number on student
photo id cards, beginning with Baltimore County. Since
then, we have now added Baltimore City and five other
counties. We continue to expand this project throughout the
state.
SPEAK was instrumental in getting 20 emergency phones and
the Maryland Crisis Hotline number on the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge and six on the Francis Scott Key Bridge for jumpers.
Several bridges in Southern Maryland have also followed
suit and we continue to move forward with this endeavor.
SPEAK was the liaison between Delegate Simmons who
co-sponsored HB740, Safe Schools Reporting Act 2004, with Governor
Ehrlich's office; pushing for the first time bullying
legislation that was passed successfully in Maryland.
We continue our community outreach by speaking to various
groups, including police, schools, emergency rooms, medical
professionals, faith based organizations, the political
arena, as well as offering assistance to survivors.
We also provide a survivors panel each year for the
Maryland's Annual Suicide Prevention Conference
and, this year, SPEAK was acknowledged for its dedication to
creating a "culture of hope."
House Bill HB973,
Public Schools - Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline Distribution of Information/2010, the first suicide prevention bill
to be implemented since 1986 in Maryland.
SPEAK
will continue to make major strides in the area of suicide
prevention in Maryland and the rest of the nation.
SPEAK is an Educational/Advocacy organization. We do not offer intervention or counseling. If you are anyone you know is contemplating suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK immediately.
SPEAK, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
