Valley Children's was recently selected as one of 16 children's hospitals across the country to participate in a "Preventing Youth Suicide" collaborative, led by the Children's Hospital Association, Zero Suicide Institute and Cardinal Health Foundation. Formed on the belief that children's hospitals have a unique role in suicide prevention, Valley Children's will join other hospitals in strengthening its own internal systems around suicide prevention, ensuring that teams are supported in this work and leading a regional conversation around the goals of "zero suicide" across Valley Children’s service area.
As we focus our attention this month on suicide prevention, the opportunity to be a part of this collaborative is an important one for Valley Children’s. There is no doubt that the care teams are all keenly aware of the increasing mental health needs of our kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 youth seriously considered suicide in 2020. The AAP reported in 2019 that children living in counties with the highest poverty rates are 37% more likely to die by suicide than those living in less impoverished areas. LGBTQ+ youth are five times more likely to have attempted suicide than their heterosexual peers.
“The need is significant and, as the Zero Suicide Institute reminds us all, suicide is preventable,” says Lynne Ashbeck, Valley Children’s Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer. “Most people who die by suicide have seen a health provider in the last year. Valley Children’s role is critical.”
If you are in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or are concerned about someone who might be, call 988 – the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can route you to the nearest crisis center.