Suicide prevention gets overwhelming support

Good news out of Boise this morning and it’s a cause very near and dear to my heart. Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise, reports: Legislative budget writers overwhelmingly backed a budget for public health services under the state Department of Health & Welfare this morning that includes $971,100 in state funds and 4 new positions to carry out the state’s suicide prevention plan. It’s a long-sought move that includes a coordinated approach to suicide prevention in Idaho, from $223,000 a year in ongoing funding for the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline to funding for youth programming, a public awareness campaign, training and more. More here.

Sad, shocking statistic: Idaho had the 9th highest suicide rate in the country in 2014, 46 percent higher than the national average.