Lebanon County Suicide Prevention

Our Mission is to develop strategies to reduce the risk of suicide and provide education to the community of Lebanon County through the collaborative efforts of service providers and agencies.

Suicide is a major public health problem in the United States. Although the overall suicide rate has declined over the past twenty years, the suicide rate for teens ages 15 to 19 has increased by over 6 percent. For adolescents ages 10 to 14, the suicide rate has increased by more than 100 percent. These statistics are alarming and need to be addressed.

Eleven young people (younger than 24) die by suicide every day in America. It is the third leading cause of death in the nation for ages 15 to 24 and in Pennsylvania for ages 10 to 24.

In Lebanon County, a total of 22 youths ages 15 to 19 died during the five year period between 1999 and 2003. Only motor vehicle accidents (nine) claimed more than suicide (five).

The Suicide Prevention Team, called TIPS, Training and Information for the Prevention of Suicide, meets at 1:00 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month at the Lebanon County MH/MH/EI Program, 220 East Lehman Street, Lebanon, PA. For more information please contact Holly Leahy at 717-274-3415.

The Survivors of Suicide Support Group is coordinated by Carol Saltzer.
Please call 717-274-3363 for more information.