•  Kentucky loses three times as many citizens to suicide as to homicide.
• Kentucky’s suicide death rate is the 17th highest in the nation.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Kentuckians 15 to 34 years old.
• Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for 35 to 54 year olds.
• Our elderly have a higher suicide rate than the national average.
• Firearms caused 66 percent of suicide deaths in Kentucky.
• 2920 suicide attempts resulted in inpatient hospital admissions in
  Kentucky during 2003. 
   

Suicide Warning Signs
Recognize what to look for...
Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK if you or someone you know exhibits any of the following suicide warning signs:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access
  to firearms, available pills, or other means.
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities —seemingly without thinking.
• Feeling trapped — like there’s no way out.
• Increasing alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawing from friends, family and society.
• Feeling anxious or agitated, being unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time.
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
• Seeing no reason for living or having
  no sense of purpose in life.

Suicide cuts across ethnic, economic, social and age boundaries.