Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Vermont, claiming more lives every year than car accidents in our state. And Vermont's young people die by suicide at one of the highest rates in the country. We're talking with doctors and researchers about effective suicide prevention.
Dr. Rebecca Bell, a pediatric critical care physician at the University of Vermont Medical Center who monitors youth suicide, and Thomas Delaney, assistant professor at UVM's Larner College of Medicine department of pediatrics who studies suicide prevention, join Vermont Edition to looking at the data on suicides in Vermont and discuss effective interventions and prevention.
We'll talk about legislation focused on suicide prevention through new gun laws, like a 72-hour waiting period for gun sales and so-called "safe storage" requirements for firearms.
And we'll hear from Richard Fales, a suicide survivor who now works with Rutland Mental Health Services as a peer support specialist.
There is help if you or someone you know is considering suicide:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)
- Veterans Crisis Line & Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
- GLBT National Health Center: 1-888-843-4564
- Crisis Text Line: 741-741
- Vermont Suicide Prevention Center
- Vermont 211
- In emergency situations, call 911.
Broadcast live on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
