PSAs: Suicide a preventable tragedy

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 5 (UPI) -- A suicide prevention campaign intended to provide support for teens contemplating suicide shows how other teens have coped, U.S. non-profit groups say.

A national public service announcement campaign was created to help reduce the incidence of suicide among teens and young adults, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Ad Council and the Inspire USA Foundation said. In 2006, 4,189 people ages 15-24 died by suicide -- but for every teen or young adult who died by suicide, 100-200 suicide attempts are made, the groups said.

"Suicide is a preventable tragedy," Pamela S. Hyde, administrator of SAMBA, said in a statement. "We are aligning and bringing to bear the full force of our resources to reduce the risk and increase the protective factors that are linked with suicide."

Public service announcements tell teens of the reachout.com Web site, developed by the Inspire USA Foundation, where they can hear success stories and strategies from teens.

The Web site combines expert-reviewed information on the warning signs for suicide, depression, eating disorders, as well as advice on relationships and coping strategies -- with real-life stories of how teens have coped with suicide and emotional problems.