The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to Display Quilts in Capitol Building to Urge Kentucky Lawmakers to Support Suicide Prevention

FRANKFORT, Ky., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One person dies by suicide every 12 hours in Kentucky. On Wednesday, February 3, 2016, volunteers from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States, will join the Kentucky Suicide Prevention Consortium for their "Suicide Prevention Day on the Hill" to meet with lawmakers to encourage them to make suicide prevention a priority for the state of Kentucky.

"Despite having SB 72, SB 65 and HB 51 in place suicide is still a huge problem in Kentucky. It's the 11th overall leading cause of death in the state. We must continue to bring awareness and education of suicide by advocating for those with mental health conditions and those at risk for suicide," said Gage Donohue, founder of the AFSP Kentucky Chapter and current board member.

Lifesaver Memory Quilts related to people who died by suicide will be on display on Wednesday in the Capitol building. For stories about people who have lost a loved one to suicide, view the online AFSP quilt.

About SB 65
SB 65 (adopted 4/13/2010) requires all high school and middle school principals, guidance counselors, and teachers to complete a minimum of two hours of self-study review of suicide prevention materials each year and permits suicide prevention training for classified employees.

About HB 51
HB 51 (adopted 3/4/ 2010) requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to post suicide prevention awareness and training information online (now at http://dbhdid.ky.gov/dbh/sped.aspx) and requires every public middle and high school administrator to disseminate suicide prevention awareness information to their students annually. 

About SB 72
Kentucky was the second state in the U.S. to require suicide assessment, treatment and management for mental health and other professionals, beginning 1/1/2015 (SB 72, adopted 3/19/13). This bill also permits that the training received count towards mandatory continuing education credits.

The American Foundation for Suicide Preventionis 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. 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.

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SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention