Rates of death by suicide have increased across the United States since 1999. Additionally, suicide death rates are typically higher in rural areas than in urban areas. According to the Oregon Public Health Assessment Tool, in Klamath County, the suicide rate has consistently been higher than the Oregon and United States rates. After a downward trend in the suicide death rate in Klamath County, decreasing from 34 per 100,000 in 2014 to 22 per 100,000 in 2016, the suicide death rate increased to 47 per 100,000 in 2017. This is more than double the Oregon rate at 19 per 100,000 deaths and the United States rate at 14 per 100,000.
Year 1 and 2 Progress Update
Lead Agency: Klamath Basin Behavioral Health
Klamath Basin Behavioral Health created the You Matter to Klamath (YM2K) coalition to combat suicide in Klamath County. In 2019 YM2K was still in its grassroots stage and building community partnerships. They saw strong support and quickly had solid group of 20 individuals participating in bi-weekly meetings. YM2K launched a successful youth video contest and worked with schools to ensure they were in compliance with Senate Bill 52 suicide prevention programming. They saw an increase in phone calls to the crisis line, which indicates high needs but also an awareness or resources and willingness to reach out—both positive things! A variety of trainings and community meetings were held and gaining traction.
Once the pandemic hit, they were postponed and eventually taken to a virtual platform. As partnerships strengthen, prevention, intervention and postvention work is enhanced. Initial data shows suicide deaths are trending downward.
Updated stats: YTD suicide deaths in 2020 was 23 and as of 9/30/21 there were 12.
Suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in Klamath County.
As a type of preventable injury death, suicide is a public health issue. While some groups are at a higher risk, suicide can affect anyone, regardless of age, race and ethnicity, and income. It also affects the health of others, to include family members and friends, and the community. Recognized as a local, state, and national health priority, suicide prevention extends across the entire lifespan. Everyone has a responsibility in preventing suicide.
Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Suicide
County: Klamath
Depression, Suicide and Youth in Klamath County
As stated by Governor Kate Brown at the signing of Senate Bill 52:
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24 in Oregon. And the risk of death by suicide increases for our most vulnerable populations, such as LGBTQ youth, foster youth, and youth with disabilities.
Senate Bill 52 requires school districts to adopt plans and policies to prevent youth suicide. Along with the Student Success Act, investments and several other bills that have passed this session, our schools will have more resources and tools to help students feel safe and supported at school.
Prior to June 2019, Oregon was just one of three states that didn't have suicide prevention programming in its schools. However, as of June 2019 and the passing of SB 52, school districts in Oregon are required to implement suicide prevention programming. Check out the data below to see past trends and the current baseline data on suicide and depression among youth in Klamath County.
GOAL
Reduce suicide in Klamath County
Objective 1: Reduce suicide death rate in Klamath County by 10% each year by June 30, 2022
Strategy 1: Prevention- community suicide prevention programming
Jun
2022
2022
Task 1: implement a community-wide suicide prevention messaging campaign
Process Measure: Number of 1) earned media features 2) hits on social media 3) materials distributedQuarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Radio spots, Facebook ads, youth video contest, tear offs around community and schools, flyers sent home to all students in City and County Schools Youth video contest completed and awards given. Q3 will be showcasing the videos. Started a UM2K YouTube site for sharing videos The 3 videos have been posted on the UM2K YouTube channel as well as distributed to local and state-wide organizations to share. We opened up the new school year video contest for youth. We have received positive information regarding this and look forward to seeing some amazing videos. We alos have the 2 billboards that are receiving a lot of attention in the community. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Radio spots, Facebook ads, youth video contest, tear offs around community and schools, flyers sent home to all students in City and County Schools still is occurring this quarter Radio spots, Facebook ads, Sharing the 4 youth video submissions, tear offs around community and schools, flyers around the community Radio spots, Facebook ads, Sharing the 4 youth video submissions, tear offs around community and schools, flyers around the community. We are preparing for the 2021-22 school yar video context. Monies for prizes received from Alky Angels and Citizens for Safe Schools Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 3rd Annual Youth Suicide Prevention Video launched in August and runs through 12/31/21. 10 students have committed to producing videos so far. Tear-off sheets and resource cards in both English and Spanish were redistributed to KFCS and KCSD in Aug-Sept. Ponderosa Middle School included suicide prevention resource cards produced by You Matter to Klamath in every student planner. You Matter to Klamath Youth Suicide Prevention Video Contest promotions on Facebook, Instagram, and through the schools. Contest period ended on 12/31/21. Task 2: Train Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainers
Process Measure: Number of individuals trained as trainers.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 List developed to begin providing trainings throughout community 30 QPR trainers trained; saturation trainings will begin in Q3 QPR trainings have begun, however they started off slowly due to needing to be virtual due to COVID. There are a lot of safety issues with providing a QPR training virtually. Contact and emergency contact information must be received in the event someone drops off of the call. Forms were recreated to include this information. 3 virtual QPR trainings have been held, and 1 virtual CONNECT training has been held. The format is different but the informaiton is the same. They were all very positively received. We will continue scheduling the virtual trainings as requests come in. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 QPR trained professionals have provided 8 trainings during this quarter to a total of 62 participants QPR trained professionals have provided 11 trainings during this quarter to a total of 64 participants QPR trained professionals have provided 4 trainings during this quarter to a total of 12 participants. This decrease is due to summer. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 No additional school-based QPR Trainers have received certification in Klamath County. QPR trained professionals have provided 8 trainings during this quarter to approximately 200 participants including at the Tribal Teen Girls Retreat, All Staff at KFCS, and KBBH School Based and Peer Support staff. Task 3: Provide access to Oregon's Big River suicide prevention trainings for school staff, students, and community members
Process Measure: Number of 1) trainings 2) individuals trained 3) agencies trained.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Trainings will be set up with the existing and newly trained QPR persons. A Saturation Training flyer will be sent out/handed out starting in January 2020 - Trainings will start end of January 2020. QPR should never be held as an "at large" community event. It must follow evidence basded practice and be limited to 30 members at a time 6 QPR trainings were held with a total of 32 persons trained. The CONNECT trainings were cancelled due to COVID and will be rescheduled Schools are not on-site at this time due to to COVID, so all trainings have bee postponed. QPR has been scheduled for sschool staff and students. The format will be smaller trainings, but more frequent. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Virtual trainings have been held. Also trainings at Klamath Union High School have started and are continuing through this school year. Virtual trainings have been held. Also trainings at Klamath Union High School have started and are continuing through this school year. Summer vacation so this has not occurred for the schools, however has occurred in the general community Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 The Klamath Falls City School District moved their staff in-service to virtual the night before due to Covid and canceled the all-staff QPR training breakouts as a results. One parent-focused QPR training was provided in September with a total of 2 participants. Three other promoted trainings did not receive registrations. QPR trainings provided as described in Task 2. A local T4T Connect Postvention training has been scheduled for June 6-10, 2022. Regional ASIST trainings have been requested from OHA and AOCMHP. Task 4: Develop campaigns targeted to high risk populations
Process Measure: Number of 1) earned media features 2) hits on social media 3) materials distributedQuarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Planning is underway for a prevention campaign focused on adult men. Citizens for Safe Schools continues their Pride Circle work through an OHA mini-grant. Task 5: Host suicide prevention and awareness raising events
Process Measure: Number of events hosted or tabled atQuarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Town Hall, tables at 8 events during this time frame Town Hall postponed. Working currently on a billboard to have in the community as well as continue hading out flyuers, tear-offs, etc. 2 Billboards have been purchased in the community with monies from Portland Indian Health Bureau. We also continue handing out handing out flyers, tear-offs, etc. The billboards are receiving positive attention, and hand-outs and emails continue to be distributed. We are working with CHA to distribute email information for their members this month. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Due to COVID, events have been completed virtually. We have included our Crisis information cards with the Safe + Strong packets that have been going out to community members Due to COVID, events have been completed virtually. We have included our Crisis information cards with the Safe + Strong packets that have been going out to community members. We have attended a couple of events in person, as well as virtual. We have included crisis information cards and other interventions as well as talking with persons and making referrals. Our internal Safe&Strong team ended July 31, 2021l however the state Safe&Strong continues Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 UM2K hosted a virtual mini-symposium on 9/25/21 with presentations from six agencies including KCSD, Miss Klamath County's Outstanding Teen, and youth video submissions. UM2K tabled at the Klamath Pride Event on 8/21/21 and distributed resource cards, posters, tear-off flyers, and contest promotion flyers. Planning is underway for a Town Hall during Suicide Prevention Month.
Strategy 2: Intervention- identify individuals at risk of suicide and refer to appropriate resources
Jun
2022
2022
Task 1: Maintain and revise as-needed school-based policies to prevent, identify, and respond to suicide issues
Process Measure: Number of policies.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 KCSD/KFCS policies are in development. No work due to COVId and summer KCSD/KFCS policies are in development. KCSD/KFCS met and have combined their plans into 1 school-wide Klamath County plan. IT will be reviewed and released in the next 1-2 months. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Done - KFCS and KCSD developed a community wide Suicideprevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to Done - KFCS and KCSD developed a community wide Suicideprevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to Done - KFCS and KCSD developed a community wide Suicideprevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Completed Joint Suicide District Prevention Plan is completed and will be revised and updated as needed. Task 2: Coordinate Mobile Crisis Team Response
Process Measure: Number of calls responded to and number of trained personnel.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 495 calls from 07/01-09/30/2019 - currently 7 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator - 8 others have been trained but are not working in the department 623 Calls from 10/01-12/31/2019 - currently 7 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator. An additional MCT therapist was hired 790 phone calls from 1/01/2020-03/31/2020 to the crisis team - currently have 6 mobile crisis personnel and 1 pre-commitment investigator. We also hired a full-time crisis care navigator. 1462 phone calls from 04/01/2020-06/30/2020 to the crisis team. We currenlty have 6 mobile crisis personnel and 1 pre-commitment investigator, and a crisis navigator. We will be adding 2 more crisis personnel in the next month. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 782 calls from 01/01/2021 - 03/31/2021. KBBH currently has 8 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator 782 calls from 04/01/2021 - 06/30/2021. KBBH currently has 8 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator. Also a staff person who rides with the Sheriff office during the week days. We are hoping to expand that. 412 calls from 07/01/2021 - 08/31/2021. KBBH currently has 8 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator. Also a staff person who rides with the Sheriff office during the week days. We are hoping to expand that time and Law Enforcement teams. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 701 calls from 07/01/2021 - 09/30/2021. KBBH currently has 8 Mobile Crisis Team personnel and 1 Pre-Commitment Investigator. Also a staff person who rides with the Sheriff office during the week days. We are hoping to expand that time and Law Enforcement teams. KBBH is oboarding three new crisis response therapists. Task 3: Implement messaging campaign with locations accessible for intervention opportunities (firearms community, animal shelter)
Process Measure: Number of participating locations.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 1500 prevention tear-off flyers distributed in Klamath County at various business, schools, agencies; will be providing QPR training at sites as well in 2020 Prevention tear-off flyers distributed in Klamath County at various business, schools, agencies; will be providing QPR training at sites as well in 2020 Prevention tear-off flyers distributed in Klamath County at various business, schools, agencies; will be providing QPR training at sites as well in 2020 Prevention tear-off flyers distributed in Klamath County at various business, schools, agencies; will be providing QPR training at sites as well once virtual trainings have been developed by QPR and NAMI New Hampshire. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Community members continue having the tear-off flyers in their bathrooms, as well as the schools. Community members continue having the tear-off flyers in their bathrooms, as well as the schools. Community members continue having the tear-off flyers in their bathrooms, as well as the schools. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Community members continue having the tear-off flyers in their bathrooms, as well as the schools. Community members continue having the tear-off flyers in their bathrooms, as well as the schools. Task 4: implement universal depression and suicide risk screening in school based health centers
Process Measure: Number of participating locations.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 KFCS/KCSD working on their own centers, OHSU request for proposal submitted for screening for depression and suicidaility in PCP offices KFCS/KCSD working on their own centers. OHSU completed their depression screening with PCP offices and will begin distribution in 2020 KFCS/KCSD working on their own centers. OHSU completed their depression screening with PCP offices and will begin distribution in 2020 KFCS/KCSD working on their own centers. OHSU completed their depression screening with PCP offices and will begin distribution in 2021. this change happened due to COVID impacting the OHSU team of residents and their being on-site. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Done - KFCS and KCSD developed a community wide Suicide prevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to Done - KFCS and KCSD developed a community wide Suicideprevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to Done - KFCS and KCSD reviewed in their all staff meetings at both school districts in August Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Completed. KCSD, KFCS, and ERHS have implemented a shared suicide prevention plan in response to SB52 which includes standardized depression and suicide risk screening using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Completed. KFCS and KCSD developed a joint district suicide prevention plan that all teachers and staff have been trained to. Task 5: Establish clinical support group(s)
Process Measure: Number of groups hosted.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. KBBH is applying for a grant (and whether it is received or not) we will be starting up clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. KBBH is applying for a grant (and whether it is received or not) we will be starting up clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. We did not receive the grant we were hoping for, however we are working on how to fund a clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. We did not receive the grant we were hoping for, however we are working on how to fund a clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. KBBH and Klamath Hospice currently runs clinical grief groups. KBBH is working in Year 3 to allocate resources to clinical-based groups specifically for suicide attempt and loss survivors.
Strategy 3: Postvention- enact a comprehensive , community-wide suicide postvention plan to prevent suicide contagion (in accordance with SB 561)
Jun
2022
2022
Task 1: Conduct Connect training throughout community
Process Measure: Number of 1) trainings held 2) individuals trained.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 1 training completed, 16 trained - lost 4 trainers, working on scheduling trainings in 2020 Trainings were scheduled for April, May and June - however these had to be postponed due to COVID Postponed for this quarter until New Hampshire NAMI creates the CONNECT training into a virtual format 1 CONNECT training has been held virtually. More will be scheduled now that the virtual CONNECT has been developed. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 No trainings for CONNECT have been completed during this quarter due to COVID. No trainings for CONNECT have been completed during this quarter due to COVID. No trainings for CONNECT have been completed during this quarter due to COVID. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 No trainings for CONNECT occurred in this quarter. A revised training from Oregon Health Authority is expected in Y3Q1. T4T scheduled June 6-10, 2022. Task 2: Develop and disseminate community suicide postvention plan
Process Measure: Number of participating agencies.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies Completed Completed last quarter Done Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies Postvention plan completed and distributed to 28+ agencies. Revisions will be made on as needed basis. Task 3: Implement messaging campaign to support suicide loss survivors
Process Measure: Number of 1) participating locations 2) materials developed.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff Completed and continues being handed out for all untimely deaths and not just suicide. We have distributed over 75 packets. Completed and continues being handed out for all untimely deaths and not just suicide. We have distributed 38 packets this quarter. Completed and continues being handed out for all untimely deaths and not just suicide. We have distributed 27 packets this quarter. Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff. Sky Lakes Medical Center and funeral homes also have packets available to them. Updated postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff. Sky Lakes Medical Center and funeral homes also have packets available to them. Updated postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff. Sky Lakes Medical Center and funeral homes also have packets available to them. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Updated postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff. Sky Lakes Medical Center and funeral homes also have packets available to them. Postvention packet with resources, information, and referrals given out at any untimely death by Law Enforcement, First responders, KBBH staff. Sky Lakes Medical Center and funeral homes also have packets available to them. Updates to the Postvention packet are happening in Q2. Task 4: Establish a community support group for loss survivors
Process Measure: Number of groups hosted.Quarterly TrackingOct-Dec 2019 Jan-Mar 2020 Apr-Jun 2020 July-Sept 2020 Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. KBBH is applying for a grant (and whether it is received or not) we will be starting up clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. KBBH is applying for a grant (and whether it is received or not) we will be starting up clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. We did not receive the grant we were hoping for, however we are working on how to fund a clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. We did not receive the grant we were hoping for, however we are working on how to fund a clinical support gtroups for suicide survivors or those who have lost someone to suicide Oct-Dec 2020 Jan-Mar 2021 Apr-Jun 2021 July-Sept 2021 Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. Klamath Hospice currently runs a group, KBBH has a grief group, others have survivors of suicide groups as well. The survivors of suicide groups are not evidence based, but are done by general community members. Oct-Dec 2021 Jan-Mar 2022 Apr-Jun 2022 July-Sept 2022 Grief groups continue through Klamath Hospice and KBBH. Citizen run survivor groups occur monthly, however, are not clinical evidence-based groups. The current community support group is offered to loss survivors through a community member. This group is not clinical or evidence-based. KBBH is working to allocate resources to clinical-based groups for attempt and loss survivors.
