One person dies every 12 hours from suicide in Louisiana according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Fashion designer, Kate Spade and chef, Anthony Bourdain’s recent death has drawn attention to the fact that death from suicide has increased across the nation. Louisiana deaths by suicide are greater than the national average. 

In Louisiana suicide is the second-leading cause of death for ages 10-14, the third-leading cause of death for 15-34, the fourth-leading cause of death for 35-44, the sixth-leading cause of death for 45-54, the 10th-leading cause of death 55-64, and the 16th-leading cause of death for 65 and older. In total, suicide was responsible for 722 deaths in Louisiana in 2017. This figure puts the suicide rate in Louisiana at 15.26% per 100,000 people, which is above the national average of 13.26%. To put this data into perspective, this means that, on average, one person dies every 12 hours from suicide in Louisiana. Decreased government funding has been cited as a key factor in the state’s growing rate with prevention programs being cut for youth.

Increased awareness is a key action step. Start-up the conversation, open-up and talk peer-to-peer, neighbor-to-neighbor.  Increasing awareness is the “Converse To Reverse” initiative for this national public health concern. Begin the conversation at home today; sponsor a neighborhood-level gathering like the Cookies & Milk Neighborhood Awareness events in New Orleans; increase awareness in church, synagogue and mosque Sunday bulletins; resource posters displayed at the job; civic and social organization can sponsor community awareness events. In the classroom, church and community #BeThe1ToHelpSomeone. Talk about it. “Converse To Reverse” the number of deaths by suicide.

National and local and organizations such as NAMI, National Alliance for Mental Health, offer training sessions and assistance to recognize triggers and warning signs for intervention, reduction and prevention.

Death by suicide is not a respecter of age, race, gender, economic or social status and Veterans’ death by suicide are 20-22 veterans daily. #BeThere

Visit www.sock-n-it.com to download the “Converse To Reverse” resource poster. 

If you, a love one, a friend or anyone you know who has shared thoughts of suicide call the 24/7 Suicide Prevention Helpline 800.273.TALK (8255).

Laura Brown

In memory of Aaren

Fontenette-Brown (1981-2016)

Jeanerette