Wisconsin one of six states to receive five-year suicide prevention grant

MADISON (WKBT) — Wisconsin DHS announced Thursday that the state will receive a five-year suicide prevention grant from the CDC.

Wisconsin is one of six states to receive the grant, totaling $868,730 in the first year. DHS says the money will be used to bolster partnerships with groups involved with mental health and suicide prevention in areas of the state where suicide rates are the highest.

“This funding could not come at a more critical time. In the last 20 years, suicide in Wisconsin has increased 32%. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the state, taking the lives of nearly 900 Wisconsin residents in 2020,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “We cannot continue to lose our family, friends, or members of our communities to suicide. This landmark funding from the CDC will help save lives and save many from the unique and difficult pain of losing someone to suicide.”

People experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health issues, and/or substance use disorders can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This line provides free and confidential help to callers of any age 24 hours a day and can be accessed by calling or texting 988, or using the chat feature available at 988lifeline.org

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