SALT LAKE CITY — The suicide prevention coalition "Live On" received a generous donation from Intermountain Healthcare Wednesday.
"The donation comes on the heels of a statewide launch of community messages, discussing both the prevalence of suicides in Utah along with suggested strategies that can help to remedy the related issues across Utah’s diverse communities. It also comes at a time of heightened emotional and psychological stress for many Utahns in a year of COVID-19, natural disasters, and social unrest," a news release from Live on said.
Intermountain Healthcare gave $1.2 million to Live On to help the coalition prevent suicides in Utah, where the average number of suicides is 24.7 per 100,000 people. The national average rate of suicides is 16.3 per 100,000 people, and Utah has the sixth-highest rate of suicides in the United States.
"They're individuals with stories. They're our neighbors, they're our friends, they're our work colleagues. Suicide affects each of us. I know it's affected me personally, and the people who share the podium with me today. So, as we navigate together through the mental health challenges that 2020 has offered us, we need to be mindful of our community's needs and take steps to provide support and resources," said Intermountain Healthcare representative Mikelle Moore during a news conference Wednesday.
The donation will help Live On continue its efforts over the next three years, reach out to ethnic minorities and others who are often overlooked in suicide prevention initiatives.
Visit liveonutah.org for further details on suicide prevention in Utah.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 if you or someone you know is experiencing the following:
•Threatening to hurt or kill themself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself.
•Looking for ways to kill themself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means.
•Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.
