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Celebrity Suicides Bring Focus On Finding Help

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Recent high-profile suicides have put the focus again on the nation's 10th leading cause of death.

Fashion leader Kate Spade ended her life,  and chef, author and traveler Anthony Bourdain took his life three days after Spade.

Licensed clinical social worker Heidi Pritzl of Ascension Medical Group says talking with a physician or family friend they trust hopefully will get the person to the help they need.

Pritzl outlines some of the local statistics... 

"....We look at suicide being the tenth leading cause of death. That's about every 13.7 minutes there is a suicide. On June 5, when Kate Spade died by suicide there was 107 other deaths. In Wisconsin, when you look at the Burden of Suicide report. There are 724 suicides per year in Wisconsin...."

Vilas and Oneida counties have rates higher than the national average. Vilas has a rate of 21 deaths per 100,000 population, while Oneida is 16 per 100,0000. The national average is 13.

Pritzl says a physician can direct a person to getting help. She says there are other options...

"...We highly encourage contacting our local crisis number at 1-888-288-1188 or they can reach out to our local law enforcement departments by simply calling 9-1-1....."

Heidi Pritzl says mental illness has no face, no coloe no religion. It is a brain disease. She says with appropriate and consistent treatment, mental illness can be treated. Pritzl says anyone interested in learning more should contact Tammi Boers  at Vilas County Public Health to schedule a Question, Persuade, Refer training session.

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