Suicide is on the rise in Maine and the state is offering free online training for doctors and counselors.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says a new training portal provides training in suicide risk screening, intervention, treatment and support.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Maine youth and adults ages 10 to 35. Maine's rates of suicide death have increased by 27 percent from 1999 through 2016.
Nationwide, suicide deaths have increased in every state except Nevada. Rates of suicide have risen more than 30 percent in half the states.
Nearly two-thirds of people who attempt suicide visit their doctor in the month before their attempt. Maine worked with the Sweetser Training Institute on the online training portal.
SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.
