February 18, 2019 at 4:38 p.m.
Suicide rates soar in Vilas County
'Ask a question, save a life'
Suicide rates soar in Vilas County
By Abigail Bostwick-
Nationwide, suicide continues to be the 11th leading cause of death among people of all ages.
In alignment with the state of Wisconsin and the nation, Vilas County hopes to increase effectiveness of systems and programming to prevent suicides, noted Ascension Koller Behavioral Health licensed clinical social worker Heidi Pritzl and county community health coordinator Tammi Boers.
When suicidal intent or risk is detected early, lives can be saved, officials say.
Suicide by the numbers
Vilas County has one of the highest concentrations in the state for suicide death rates at 21.2 per 100,000, one of the state's seven most impacted counties. It represents the second highest rate of suicide per 100,000 people concentrations, compared to the rest of the state. Oneida County also is high, at 16.5 per 100,000, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Boers and Pritzl shared statistics from the state report, The Burden of Suicide in Wisconsin, which spanned 2007-11.
The rate in Wisconsin remained constant during 2007-11 but increased over the period from 2004-11. The average rate of suicide per year in the state is just over 720 with the highest clustered in the northern and western regions.
"The increase we are seeing is in the male population and adolescence," Pritzl observed.
The largest group is middle aged men 45 to 54, with teens more likely to be seen in emergency rooms or be hospitalized for self-harm. Between 10 and 14 year olds, suicide is the second leading cause of death, based on numbers provided by the Center for Disease Control. Additionally, the retirement population also is greatly represented - especially those ages 60 to 80.
Nearly four out of five persons who die by suicide are male, while those hospitalized for self-induced harm are female, all according to the state report.
Firearms are the most frequently used means of suicide.
Among those who died by suicide, toxicology showed 37 percent tested positive for alcohol while just under 20 percent had opiates in their system.
"It's hard to know why," Pritzl said of the reasons behind suicide.
Cause by self-inflicted death is often unknown, she and Boers added. However, there are some common factors.
State stats indicate 35 percent involve problems with an intimate partner. Physical health and job problems also were stressor causes - impacting just over 20 percent. More than half had a mental health problem and just over 40 percent were receiving treatment, it was indicated. Whites are the highest hit group followed by Native Americans. Veterans account for one out of five suicides in Wisconsin.
Nearly 70 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender teens were more likely to report anxiety with 41 percent considering suicide - higher than their heterosexual peers at about 16 percent.
"We are working closely with the schools," Pritzl said. Teachers, staff and employees are all being trained in recognition efforts of suicidal behavior or risk factors. "Understanding risk factors can help prevent attempts."
Suicide rates are also higher among those who have endured violence or bullying, reports state, as well as those for students with disabilities, lack of stable housing and poor grades.
Many of those who died had a history of suicide attempt, and over 30 percent had disclosed their intent to die to at least one person, the numbers report.
Awareness, strategy for prevention
More awareness and prevention strategies have been implemented over the years, Boers and Pritzl observed.
Most recently, a poster campaign has kicked off with special interest towards middle age men and veterans groups. Posters have been put up in men's restrooms around the area, especially in restaurants and taverns. Veterans account for some 18 percent of the county and can be seriously impacted by thoughts of suicide, it was indicated.
"It takes strength to get help," Oneida County assistant Veterans Service Officer Jason Dailey noted. "Mental health conditions can be caused by just one traumatic event or from a series of events. Taking steps to help improve things due to what you have gone through shows how strong you really are."
Recently, a coaster campaign kicked off around Vilas and Oneida counties.
"It's geared towards males 45 to 54," Boers explained. "They can go to the website listed and learn about mental health symptoms."
The 35,000 coasters also list local and national resources for help.
The coasters campaign, started by the Vilas County Health Department and supported by Ascension and the local tavern leagues, is meant to give a direct resource to those in bars who may be enduring difficult times and "self-medicating" with alcohol.
"It's one of the best ways to target men," Pritzl said.
The coasters are spread through Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties. The company that printed the coasters, www.headsupguys.org, will be tracking the calls to help see how effective the campaign turns out to be.
The website and organization www.headsupguys.org offers self-checks, resources, information for friends and family as well as information on depression and anxiety.
Additionally, Ascension and the county health department are working on "train the trainer" efforts.
"The biggest kick off is training," Pritzl said.
This includes training in schools, fire departments, churches, clinics, aging and disability centers, homes for the elderly and more.
Strategy examples include youth peer mentoring, trauma-informed approaches, programs to encourage active and rewarding lives for seniors and address gaps in community through policies. This may include changing regulations for mental health coverage or to increase access to mental health services as a key to improving and maintaining mental health access.
Ascension and Oneida County Veterans Services are part of a work group that focuses on suicide prevention and decreasing mental health stigma. The group is made up of community partners that include school districts, healthcare, private mental health providers, veterans services, UW-Extension and local health departments. It is also the tri-county (Forest, Oneida and Vilas) coalition that addresses mental health and AODA called Northwood's COPE.
AODA and COPE have been addressing addiction and mental health. In emergency and doctor offices as well as clinics and behavior health locations, more screenings are being given.
Further, an increase has been seen from grant funding and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in schools to increase mental health efforts directly in classrooms around Wisconsin.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training has been taking place educating youth and middle-aged males, Pritzl and Boers noted. The public also can use QPR - it is meant to enhance general awareness about suicide via public education.
"Whether a teen or elder adult, we can all become aware of the warning signs of suicidal thoughts and learn three basic intervention skills that can help avert the tragedy of suicide," Pritzl and Boers said.
Countywide, county health department, hospitals, clinics, fire departments, veterans services, schools and subgroups are all working together to curb suicide rates.
How to help
Recognizing risk factors can help prevent a suicide attempt. Possible cause and warning signs may include a history of mental illness, previous attempts and having family members with mental illness.
"We want to break the stigma," Pritzl said. "We are trying to talk more, and trying to educate everyone. Know what to look for. We want everyone to know what's available to them."
It's important to reach out as soon as possible, even before crisis mode, Boers added.
"We want to make it less taboo," Boers said.
Warning signs people can watch for include "cues" that someone may be considering suicide. They can include stock-piling medication, giving away prized possessions and changes in personality or behavior, Pritzl and Boers said.
Pritzl noted one of the easiest and most direct ways to help is to ask the question to the person of concern: Are you suicidal?
"Just listen, be open-minded and do not rush to judgement," she indicated. "The idea is to hear them, to listen. To let them know, they are not alone."
Anyone can use QPR in these situations, they encouraged.
Question - learn to see the warnings and ask, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
Persuade - offer hope and alternate solutions, note, "Suicide is only perceived as a solution by a person in crisis as what it seen as an unsurmountable problem."
Refer - have knowledge of local resources and encourage by saying "I want you to live, let me help you get help."
One can assist the person to get help - be it through a primary provider, their church, health department or other source.
Experts believe most people who are thinking about suicide do not want to die, they just want to end the pain, Pritzl and Boers added.
In the event of an emergency where one is concerned a loved one may commit suicide, 911 should be phoned or law enforcement contacted, Pritzl and Boers encouraged.
More information
Those interested in joining a work group or hosting a suicide prevention training in QPR may contact Boers at the Vilas County Public Health Department at 715-479-3757 or [email protected].
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