October 23, 2011
State Lawmakers Threaten to Eliminate Funding for Teen Suicide Prevention Group
Shaun Knittel READ TIME: 3 MIN.
An average of two young people take their own lives in Washington each week, while another 17 are hospitalized after unsuccessful suicide attempts. And yet, lawmakers in Olympia are proposing to cut off all state funding to an organization that works with these at-risk teenagers.
"Over the year, Washington State has gradually decreased YSPP funding from an original $500,000 a year to only $116,000," said Vicki Wagner, executive director of Washington State's Youth Suicide Prevention Program. "In spite of this reduction, YSPP has continued to provide critical youth suicide prevention efforts statewide. But now, our state government is proposing cutting our funding to $0."
If you are outraged by this news, you are not alone. To think that funding would be cut to a statewide organization dedicated to saving the lives of youth almost seems fictional, but the threat is very real.
More than one in every 10 high school students in Washington report having attempted suicide, according from an YSPP survey that the state itself funded. Nearly 25 percent had seriously considered taking their own life.
The survey also found more than 30 percent of LGBT youth have tried to commit suicide at least once within the last year; more than 50 percent of transgender youth will have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday. Youth suicides also outnumber youth homicides.
Those are chilling statistics, and YSPP and OUTLoud, the LGBT component of the organization (the only one in the state,) are on the front lines of the youth suicide prevention battle-which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently called an epidemic.
Wagner is asking Washingtonians to contact Gov. Christine Gregoire and state legislators to save YSPP's funding. "Ask them to help save young lives in your community and not cut funding for suicide prevention," she said.
The message is clear. YSPP and OUTLoud save lives.
"If we lose these funds, then youth, parents, teachers, counselors, and others around the state will not get the education and training they need to prevent young people from dying by suicide," said Wagner.
In what can be described as a disappointing lack of leadership, Gregoire released a statement on the proposed YSPP funding cut through spokesperson Scott Whiteaker.
"Governor Gregoire strongly believes in the state's work and partnerships with community groups to prevent youth suicide," said Whiteaker. "The recession has left the Legislature no good options for where to cut state services, and Gov. Gregoire will continue to work with legislators and community groups on efforts to prevent youth suicide."
YSPP and OUTLoud have applauded state Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) for his efforts to mitigate these potentially devastating cuts.
"I personally fought this year to continue state funding for the Youth Suicide Prevention Program," he said. "It has taken on the tragedy of youth suicide by educating youth, parents and teachers about the issue, and that can save lives. I will champion the program again when legislators meet in November to address a new shortfall in our budget."
Problems still remain.
"In the worst financial crisis of a generation, however, we are running out of options. We sought new revenues to support services, but the public voted to repeal them in last year's election," said Murray. "Given the cuts we've already made, more program eliminations will inevitably mean vulnerable people, like our youth, will suffer. Today we must all speak up for the things we value and for budget solutions that will serve the entire state."
Wagner: LGBT Teen Suicides Are Preventable
Wagner stressed that these deaths are preventable, but she and other organizations and advocates cannot do the vitally important work for free.
"Eighty percent of youths who die by suicide just want their pain to end," said Wagner. "Let the governor and state legislators know that because of YSPP, youth, parents, educators, peers, counselors, and others in the community know the warning signs, know what to say and what to do when a young person is at risk of dying by suicide."
A high school student who wished to remain anonymous credits YSSP's suicide prevention materials for saving his/her life.
"It opened my eyes to suicide and depression so I can use it in my life," said the student.
Shaun Knittel is an openly gay journalist and public affairs specialist living in Seattle. His work as a photographer, columnist, and reporter has appeared in newspapers and magazines throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to writing for EDGE, Knittel is the current Associate Editor for Seattle Gay News.
