SUICIDE: Prevention is top priority

FYI Jim Korver. Having returned from two years in California, it is obvious you lack specifics on suicide statistics in the state of Idaho. Please refer to healthandwelfare.idaho.gov and many other sites for these factual stats.

Idaho is consistently among the states with the highest suicide rates. In 2016, Idaho had the eighth highest suicide rate in the U.S. with a rate of 20.8, 50% higher than the national average. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idahoans ages 15-34 and for males up to age 44. Between 2013-2017, 110 Idaho school children (ages 6-18 years old) died by suicide; 25 of those deaths were among children age 14 or younger.

Grade school teachers or counselors need to be educated to see the signs of any possible physical or sexual abuse, neglect, poor self-esteem, lack of eye contact, performance, bullying, mood swings and socially isolated behaviors. These are just some of the signs of possible suicides. An article written earlier by Mr. Macomber stated “prevention starts with knowledge.” Early diagnosis in our schools is instrumental in prevention.

Instead of the state of Idaho spending millions of dollars on the medical costs of suicides, it needs to put that money where it will do the most good. Invest in our children in the schools and homes.

Yes, Idaho ranks 49th in per pupil spending. And yes, our Legislature hasn’t been doing their jobs to ensure this problem is solved.

In answer to Mr. Korver’s question, “Are there things we need more than this for our ELEMENTARY students?” NO, there isn’t anything our children need more than the chance to live.

JoANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene