Attorney General Offers Resource for Preventing Youth Suicide
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008
Contact: Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
601-359-2002
jscha@ago.state.ms.us
JACKSON -- Mississippi parents have a new resource now available to them addressing important prevention information on youth suicide, courtesy of Attorney General Jim Hood.
The Office of Attorney General, through its Crime Prevention & Victim Services Division, has compiled a brochure for parents called “Youth Suicide: What Parents Should Know.”
The resource provides statistics on youth suicide, outlines the signs a young person may be considering suicide, and lets parents know what they can do if they suspect their child is contemplating suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, the second leading cause of death for college students and the fourth leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14. A 2007 national survey indicated that 15% of high school students in Mississippi reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide.
“The facts about youth suicide are absolutely frightening,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “I was shocked that the statistics are so high and the resources are so low that I felt compelled to compile some information that I felt parents needed to know.
"This is one of those issues that we can’t resolve after the fact. Prevention and education are key. That’s why I am honored to join other attorneys general across the nation in supporting the work of organizations such as The Jason Foundation to provide programs for youth, those who work with youth, educators and parents to prevent youth suicide.”
Copies of the brochure can be obtained by calling the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-829-6766, or by visiting http://www.agjimhood.com/ and clicking on “AGO Publications” or “Featured Brochures” links.
NOTE: Attorney General Jim Hood was available to discuss this new resource today at the First Annual Mississippi Youth Suicide Prevention Workshop at the JSU e-Center, 1230 Raymond Road, Jackson, MS.
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008
Contact: Jan Schaefer
Public Information Officer
601-359-2002
jscha@ago.state.ms.us
JACKSON -- Mississippi parents have a new resource now available to them addressing important prevention information on youth suicide, courtesy of Attorney General Jim Hood.
The Office of Attorney General, through its Crime Prevention & Victim Services Division, has compiled a brochure for parents called “Youth Suicide: What Parents Should Know.”
The resource provides statistics on youth suicide, outlines the signs a young person may be considering suicide, and lets parents know what they can do if they suspect their child is contemplating suicide.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24, the second leading cause of death for college students and the fourth leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14. A 2007 national survey indicated that 15% of high school students in Mississippi reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide.
“The facts about youth suicide are absolutely frightening,” said Attorney General Jim Hood. “I was shocked that the statistics are so high and the resources are so low that I felt compelled to compile some information that I felt parents needed to know.
"This is one of those issues that we can’t resolve after the fact. Prevention and education are key. That’s why I am honored to join other attorneys general across the nation in supporting the work of organizations such as The Jason Foundation to provide programs for youth, those who work with youth, educators and parents to prevent youth suicide.”
Copies of the brochure can be obtained by calling the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-829-6766, or by visiting http://www.agjimhood.com/ and clicking on “AGO Publications” or “Featured Brochures” links.
NOTE: Attorney General Jim Hood was available to discuss this new resource today at the First Annual Mississippi Youth Suicide Prevention Workshop at the JSU e-Center, 1230 Raymond Road, Jackson, MS.
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