Immediate Release
August 30, 2010
Batavia, Ohio. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 24. Clermont County is now averaging five teen suicides each year; in 2009, six were reported locally, according to the Clermont Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB). Citizens of Clermont County are invited to attend a Youth Suicide Prevention Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, to learn about and discuss results from a recent countywide teen summit on suicide prevention. The meeting, sponsored by the Clermont Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Clermont MHRB, begins at 6 p.m. at the Union Township Civic Center, located at 4350 Aicholtz Road.
“In April, 165 young people representing all nine Clermont County high schools gathered for a youth summit to discuss suicide among their peers, the reasons given for it, and how the community can prevent the tragedy,” said Clermont MHRB Associate Director Dr. Lee Ann Watson. “We obtained some eye opening information from these young people. Around 70 percent of those questioned knew someone who had attempted suicide, and 37 percent admitted thinking about suicide in the past year. We found 14 percent of those attending the summit said they had attempted suicide. These percentages are well above the national averages, underscoring the need to take immediate action to strengthen suicide prevention programs.”
Dr. Watson said the town hall meeting will share important information on why teens think suicide is the answer to their problems. “We’ll talk about the connection between bullying and suicide, what protective factors can prevent it, and how the community can help improve suicide prevention efforts,” said Dr. Watson.
For more information about this important town hall meeting, contact the Clermont MHRB at 732-5400 or the Clermont Suicide Prevention Coalition at 721-2910.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.