Suicide Prevention
Why Should We Talk About Suicide?
• Suicide is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, resulting in about one death every 11 minutes
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people 10-34 years of age
• Suicide is the fourth leading cause among people 35 to 54 years of age
• Suicide is the eighth leading cause among people 55 to 64 years of age
• Suicide is PREVENTABLE with an educated and action-oriented community
• Fear and stigma associated with talking about suicide is a barrier to seeking help
• Research shows that mental health graduate programs do not adequately train counselors in suicide assessment and intervention
• Per FL Dept. of Health Statistics (2025), the suicide rate per capita in Florida for ALL ages, 13.7/100,000
In Circuits 9 & 18, 2025 suicide rates are as follows:
• Brevard, 16.8/100,000
• Seminole, 11.4/100,000
• Orange, 8.7/100,000 (resulting in 128 suicide deaths)
• Osceola, 8.7/100,000
How Can I Participate?
Contact Stephanie Smith, Regional Suicide Prevention Specialist, at (407) 985-3567, ssmith@cfchs.org to learn more about how to participate or receive training.
Additional Resources
8 Signs of Struggling
8 Signs of Struggling Spanish
Suicide Prevention Month – Governor DeSantis Proclamation
Suicide-Prevention One Pager
FL Health Charts Deaths From Suicide
Suicide Resource Sheet for FL Circuits 9 & 18 (PDF)
It’s Time to Talk about it, A Family Guide (PDF)
Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools (PDF)
Youth Suicide Prevention Program: https://www.floridahealth.gov/individual-family-health/injury-prevention-wellness/mental-health/youth-suicide-prevention/
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): www.sprc.org
Media Recommendations for Safe Reporting on Suicide: www.reportingonsuicide.org
Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention & Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council
Florida Suicide Prevention Events Calendar
You are not a burden billboards
