Advocates to Storm Idaho State Capitol to Request Resources to Help Fight Suicide

News provided by

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Feb 14, 2017, 09:57 ET

BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suicide is the 8^th leading cause of death overall in Idaho. To help prevent this tragic loss of life, volunteer advocates from the Idaho chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are visiting the state capitol on Wednesday, February 15 to convince their legislative leaders of the need to add language to the coroner statute to provide for a 48 hour mandatory reporting requirement.

"AFSP Idaho has worked hard to build collaborative relationships with our suicide prevention partners and our legislators. By working together in Idaho, we can save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide," said Carmen Stanger, chairperson of the AFSP Idaho chapter.

The proposed mandatory suicide reporting requirement is aimed to increase the amount and accuracy of data as it relates to suicide in Idaho. Currently, there are no mandatory laws regarding data collection, and data collection laws and reporting practices are not consistent – making for incomplete data sets. In order to assess the true numbers, and methods used there needs to be a thorough reporting system built into the state regulations.

This is the second time AFSP is hosting a State Capitol Day in Idaho. Ms. Stanger is part of a national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting 35 state capitols across the United States in spring 2017 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators. The event in Boise is part of a larger advocacy day organized by the Idaho Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Suicide in Idaho
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-44 in Idaho, and the fourth leading cause of death for people aged 45-54. On average one person dies by suicide every 32 hours in the state.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.