The links below contained detailed information for the upcoming 2017 Safe States Alliance Annual Meeting, taking place September 12-14, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado.
Please note:
- A total of five concurrent sessions will take place during the Annual Meeting, and there will be up to five breakouts occurring simultaneously during each of those concurrent sessions. Within each breakout, there will be up to four presentations that take place.
- This online system does not allow us to embed the individual presentations within each breakout. Please note the session presentations listed under each Concurrent Breakout title for associated content.
- The on-site mobile app WILL embed these sessions for ease of use.
- A printable, detailed agenda can be found on the 2017 Annual Meeting website.
- If you have any questions, please contact info@safestates.org
- All session times and locations are tentative and subject to change. Safe States will continue to update these details as changes take place.
Understanding Adolescent Suicide in Utah
Learning Objectives
In this session, participants will:
- Characterize the epidemiology of, and trends in, fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among youth ages 10 to 17 years of age occurring from 2011 through 2015 in Utah,
- Identify risk and protective factors for fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among Utah youth ages 10-17 years.
- Comare the components of selected statewide youth suicide prevention initiatives against key evidence-based suicide prevention components to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the existing prevention initiatives.
Statement of Purpose
Over the last decade, Utah’s adolescent suicide death rate has consistently been higher than the United States. From 2011 to 2015, there was a 158.8% increase in the number of suicide deaths and a 138.1% increase in the rate of suicide deaths among Utah youth aged 10-17 years old. In addition, self-reported suicide ideation among youth in grades 8, 10 and 12 significantly increased from 14.1% in 2013 to 16.6% in 2015. As a result of these alarming trends, Utah requested assistance from CDC to investigate Utah adolescent suicides.
Methods/Approach
To characterize the epidemiology of, and trends in, fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among youth ages 10 to 17 years of age occurring from 2011 through 2015 in Utah, data from the Utah Violent Death Reporting System, Hospital Discharge Data, Emergency Department Visit Data, Prevention Needs Assessment, and School Health Profile data was analyzed. To identify risk and protective factors for fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviors among Utah youth ages 10-17 years, risk factors for fatal and suicides and risk and protective factors for non-fatal suicidal behaviors by geography were explored. In addition, proxy measures were developed for social isolation and social connectedness and their relationship with non-fatal suicidal behaviors were examined. Finally, using program documentation, components of selected statewide youth suicide prevention initiatives against key evidence-based suicide prevention components were compared to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the existing prevention initiatives.
Results
Epi-Aid investigators spent two weeks in Utah analyzing data, meeting with suicide prevention specialists, and reviewing suicide fatality records. Preliminary results were presented to key stakeholders and a key recommendation was to enhance surveillance systems to include questions on sexual orientation. Preliminary findings revealed key characteristics in adolescent suicides related to technology restrictions and relationship problems. Final results will be shared with conference participants.
Conclusions & Significance to the Field
A final report will be provided to the Utah Department of Health and will be used to target suicide prevention efforts. The project will be used to provide recommendations for future policies and leverage results to garner support for enhanced data collection efforts related to sexual orientation, social connectedness and isolation in Utah.
Presenters
Anna Fondario, Utah Department of Health
Biography
Anna Fondario, MPH, Epidemiology Manager, has worked in the Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program since 2005. She holds a MPH in Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences from Boston University and a BS in Biology and Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina.
Elizabeth Brutsch, MPH, Utah Department of Health
Biography
Elizabeth Brutsch, MPH, Epidemiologist, has worked in the Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program since 2014. She holds a MPH from Brigham Young University and a BS in Psychology from Brigham Young University Idaho.