Maryland may have one of the lowest youth suicide rates in the nation, but health workers are hoping a federal grant will help educators to better identify warning signs and promote public awareness.
“We like to say that suicide is a complex problem that needs a comprehensive approach,” said Henry Westray Jr., youth suicide prevention administrator with the state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
“The end goal is that we have to reduce suicides in our state.”
The three-year, $1.5 million federal grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will allow schools and colleges to expand effective prevention techniques and interventions.
“We’re using the grant to increase awareness among students, families and the educators that work with them to understand that suicide is preventable,” said Brian Bartels, a specialist in psychological services with the Maryland Department of Education.
Promoting awareness
All eighth-graders and high schoolers are taught about suicide and depression in health education classes, Bartels said.
“Maryland is probably ahead of the nation in teaching kids about suicide, but we want to be better,” he said.
Some of the funds will provide crisis teams of school counselors, psychologists and nurses with more advanced techniques so they can respond to situations faster, he said.
At the college level, some funds will help implement programs for students who experience increased isolation, emotional vulnerability and other related feelings after being away from home the first time, state officials said.
More steps also need to be taken in educating young people about suicide-prevention resources, Westray said.
Youth suicides in Maryland
Maryland has the 44th-lowest suicide rate in the United States among those 24 and younger, Westray said.
Maryland had 1,219 suicides among residents between 10 and 24 from 1990 to 2006, according to health department’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
In 2007, 14.5 percent of U.S. high school students reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the 12 months before a survey taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 6.9 percent of students reported they attempted suicide at least once during that time frame.
Common warning signs for suicides include giving away prized possessions, personality changes, increased use of drugs or alcohol, signs of depression and statements regarding a desire not to live anymore, Westray said.
“The pain of losing a loved one is unspeakable, and compounded when the death may have been prevented,” Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement when he announced the funding Monday.
The federal aid will be distributed in $500,000 annual increments to MDE and DHMH.
Suicide rates from 2000 to 2004 for 10- to 24-year-olds
Suicide rate
Jursidiction (deaths per
100,000 residents)
Anne Arundel 4.91
Baltimore City 6.34
Baltimore County 5.84
Carroll 6.46
Harford 5.39
Howard 5.1
Maryland 6.69
Nation 7.03
If you or someone you know is considering suicide and needs help, call 800-422-0009. The statewide emergency hotline operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Sources: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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