An effort to reach Northwoods men with mental health concerns began about a month ago in area taverns. Printed on coasters, those pieces are placed under a drink, has information for men to get help.
Jason Dailey is the Oneida County Assistant Veterans Service Officer...
"...To bring awareness and resource information out to mainly for middle-aged males. They're one of the lesser targeted groups when it comes to suicide prevention. We thought they were missing out and we would try to get something out there for them..."
So why put the information in taverns?
"If your having a hard time, one of the unfortunate go-to's is drinking. The coasters are something that can be in the bars which gives a little bit of information to a website they can go to. It also hase phone numbers for crisis lines..."
Suicide rates for males 55-64-years old is the 8th leading cause of death. Wisconsin data ranks Vilas County as the second highest rate in Wisconsin, double the national rate at 21.2 per 100,000 people, Oneida County has a rate of 16.5 per 100,000 and Forest County is 12.7 per 100,000. Dailey says veterans tend to be more prone to suicide due to mental fatigue, training, separation from family and loss of friends.
The front of the coaster has a link to headsupguys.org website. The site provides information and resources on mental illness and suicide. Dailey says the website has a self-check evaluation form. He says the establishments they've talked to have been very receptive. The strategy is provided by the Community, Outreach,Prevention, Education Coalition (COPE) Coalition. The coalition includes Forest, Oneida, and Vilas counties and provides services related to issues of mental health and AODA.
