Suicide Facts & Figures: Iowa 2019

On average, one person dies by suicide every 18 hours in the state of Iowa.  More than five times as many people died by suicide in Iowa in 2017 than in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents.  The total deaths to suicide reflect a total of 10,127 years of potential life lost (YPLL) before age 65.  Suicide cost Iowa a total of $441,111,000 combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an average of $1,185,783 per suicide death.  Suicide is the 9^th leading cause of death in Iowa.  It is the 2^nd leading cause of death for ages 15-34, the 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-54, the 8th leading cause of death for ages 55-64, and the 17th leading cause of death for ages 65 & older.  Based on most recent 2017 data from CDC. Learn more at afsp.org/statistics.

Suicide Prevention Programs and Initiatives

·         The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) suicide prevention program works with stakeholders to provide information about signs and symptoms of depression and suicide and develop suicide prevention strategies. IDPH also funds community programs to identify youth who are most at risk for suicide and provide assessment and referral for services. See https://bit.ly/2QXGarQ.

·         The Your Life Iowa program provides 24/7 crisis services via phone (855-581-8111), text (855-895-8398), and through the Live Chat feature on their site. The site also includes a depression screening quiz, suicide warning signs, help for family and friends, FAQs about suicide, and tips for practicing self-care. See http://yourlifeiowa.org/suicide.

·         The Iowa Plan for Suicide Prevention: 2015 to 2018 aims to reduce the annual number of deaths by suicide by 10% by 2018, ultimately working towards zero deaths by suicide; see https://bit.ly/2SKYlya.

·         SF 2113 (adopted 3/29/18) requires school districts to adopt protocols for suicide prevention and Postvention, and requires all school personnel who have regular contact with students in kindergarten through grade twelve to receive at least one hour of evidence-based suicide prevention and Postvention training annually. The training requirement must be established by all local school boards by July 1, 2019.

·         Iowa law (§ 279.50) requires that the Department of Education identify and disseminate information about early intervention programs for students who are at risk for suicide.

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition partnered with the Van Buren County Community School District in 2018 and 2019 to help them develop a Suicide Prevention and Postvention Plan.  The coalition has worked to promote the Your Life Iowa website in Van Buren County.  The coalition has worked to educate community members on the need for suicide prevention work in the county.  The coalition staff has participated in the Children’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Collaborative since 2017 to help increase child/youth suicide prevention work in Van Buren County.  Coalition staff have also begun to attend the South East Iowa Link meetings to help increase adult suicide prevention work in Van Buren County. Iowa Department of Public Health has funded this work through the Iowa Partnership for Success Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (February 2015 - September 2019) and state substance abuse prevention funds (September 2019 – June 2020). 

Get Involved: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Iowa Chapter brings together people of all backgrounds in communities throughout the state to fight suicide. They help fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy and support those affected by suicide. For more information or to volunteer, please contact: AFSP Iowa iowa@afsp.org

Become an Advocate: AFSP’s Iowa advocacy volunteers build relationships with public officials and advocate on behalf of sound suicide prevention policy.  Visit afsp.org/advocate to sign up!

Alcohol-Involved Deaths Climbing: A Public Health Perspective in Iowa Think Before You Drink Media Campaign

Alcohol-involved deaths are a serious public health problem in Iowa, increasing from 388 in 2008 to 650 in 2017. From 2008-2017, the average annual number of alcohol-involved deaths in Iowa was 505 (Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), 2017). According to the World Health Organization (2018), 3 million deaths occur globally each year as a result of the harmful use of alcohol. In the U.S. in 2010, an estimated 70,000 people died from alcohol use, making alcohol use the third leading cause of premature deaths (McGinnis, 2013). The first and second leading causes of preventable factors causing premature deaths in the U.S. were diet/inactivity (400,000) and tobacco use (350,000), respectively (McGinnis, 2013).

The rate of alcohol-involved deaths has increased in Iowa significantly over the past 10 years, from a rate of 13 per 100,000 population in 2008 to 21 per 100,000 population in 2017. The rate of alcohol-involved deaths increased by more than 61%.  In Iowa, alcohol-involved deaths are prevalent among Iowans aged 45 to 64, and 65 or older. From 2008 to 2017, alcohol-involved deaths increased by 45% among Iowans aged 65 or older, and 75% among Iowans aged 45 to 64. In 2017, the rate of alcohol involved deaths was 45 per 100,000 population for Iowans aged 65 or older, and 42 per 100,000 population for Iowans aged 45 to 64.  In 2017, there were 330 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in Iowa. Of these 330 crash deaths, 88 (27%) involved at least one driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher, which is above the legal intoxication level (FARS, 2017). 

Iowa Department of Public Health has created a new media campaign that the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is utilizing to help educate community members on the need to Think Before You Drink.  As you age, your body cannot process alcohol like it used to.  The coalition will be utilizing the campaign as ads in the newspaper, an ad on the billboard in Keosauqua, and posters at the hospital and clinics.

For more information about prevention and treatment resources in Iowa, please visit the IDPH Substance Abuse Prevention website at https://idph.iowa.gov/substance-abuse/prevention or Your Life Iowa at http://www.yourlifeiowa.org/.

References

·         McGinnis, J.M. (2013). Actual causes of death, 1990–2010. Presentation at the Workshop on Determinants of Premature Mortality, September 18, National Research Council, Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279971/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK279971.pdf

·         World Health Organization. (2018). Alcohol. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol

Sources

·         Fatality Analysis Reporting System. (2008-2017).                                                                             Website: https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/States/StatesAlcohol.aspx

·         Iowa Department of Public Health. (2008-2017).                                                                       Website: https://tracking.idph.iowa.gov/Health/Substance-Use-and-Misuse/Substance-Involved-Mortality-Data

NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK 2020

National Prevention Week (NPW) is a SAMHSA-sponsored campaign dedicated to increasing the prevention of substance use and promotion of mental health by promoting prevention year-round. The weeklong National Prevention Week observance that occurs each May brings individuals, organizations, coalitions, states, and communities together to celebrate the events and activities that communities have held all year to raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance use and mental disorders.

NPW will take place on May 10–16, 2020. Near the kickoff of summer. This year’s NPW theme continued to be “Inspiring Action. Changing Lives.” and reminds us that we can all inspire positive change through the year. Every day and everywhere, whether we make healthy choices for ourselves or inspire others to do so, the small actions we take can change lives for the better.

Some of the NPW health topics are as follows:

·         Preventing Prescription and Opioid Drug Misuse

·         Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse

·         Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use

·         Preventing Youth Tobacco Use

·         Preventing Suicide

Everyone can take part in NPW and plan activities at home around one or all of the NPW topics. We all have a role to play in prevention, and a powerful perspective to bring to the table.  This year the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council encourages our community members to take time to research how to be healthy with substances while we are at home. 

For more information on the Youth Leadership Council please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.  For more information on NPW visit www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week to access their resources. Stay connected by subscribing to the Prevention Works email distribution list on the NPW home page (https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week) for resources, news,

and ideas to make substance use prevention happen every day. The Prevention Challenge (https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/prevention-challenge) provides an opportunity for communities and individuals to participate in NPW promotional efforts through social media.

Your Life Iowa and COVID-19

Everyone needs help sometimes.  That is the tagline for Your Life Iowa (YLI) and now more than ever during this time of uncertainty and isolation from friends and family, it is good to know that YLI is there, with support and helpful information about alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health and suicidal thoughts.   

YLI is a trusted source of information on alcohol, drugs, gambling, mental health, and suicidal thoughts, and to assist those seeking information on COVID-19 there is a link right on the homepage (yourlifeiowa.org) to Iowa’s information and response to COVID-19 (https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/).

Here are a couple of things to remember that all of us at Your Life Iowa want you to practice.  Stay healthy - prioritize sleep, making a commitment to getting 8 hours nightly.  Get some exercise, whether in your home or outside.  Be sure to practice social distancing. Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate.  Control what you can - wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home when ill.  While the fear of the unknown can be unsettling, taking control can help you feel empowered and counteract the stress being felt.

When stress, anxiety, and fear are affecting your ability to function in some part of your life, it is time to reach out.  Are you losing sleep or are you fearful of becoming sick?  Reach out to your healthcare provider and discuss your concerns.  If you or a loved one are concerned about what might be going on regarding the use of alcohol or drugs, problem gambling, or concerns about mental health or suicidal thoughts, YLI is a trusted source for help.  24/7, every day, YLI is available via text (855-895-8398), chat (yourlifeiowa.org), or phone (855-581-8111).

Asking for help can be hard, and YLI wants to make it as easy as possible to get the help being sought.   So we created a What to Expect When You Call animation.  The link for the small version is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJJUpYTZ7uA&feature=youtu.be .  The link for the larger version is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNwODg1jse8&feature=youtu.be.   YLI provides everyday life support.  No judgment.  Just helping.

For more information on Your Life Iowa please send inquires to eric.preuss@idph.iowa.gov.