‘Life is Beautiful. Suicide is Preventable.’ Campaign Launches

GILLETTE, WY – Campbell County residents who listen to Basin Radio Network channels will soon be hearing radio ads that talk about suicide. The "Life is Beautiful. Suicide is Preventable." campaign was created by Basin Radio Network, Campbell County Health, Campbell County School District, Campbell County Suicide Prevention Coalition (CCSPC), and The Mattie Project after recognizing a need in the community.

Wyoming has steadily ranked No. 1 in the nation for deaths by suicide. However, at the end of June 2013, Campbell County has had 12 deaths by suicide this year—compared to 12 deaths by suicide for all of 2012, according to the CCSPC. An overwhelming statistic that the "Life is Beautiful. Suicide is Preventable." campaign aims to reduce.

The organizations that developed the campaign "believe it's time for change in our community." The campaign spurs conversation about suicide by:

• providing the tools to recognize the signs of suicide in the people around them,
• educating about the resources available to help loved ones, or themselves, receive help, and
• promoting awareness of the effects suicide has in the community and state.

Basin Radio Network has pledged to air five, 60-second commercials per day from 6 am to midnight on each of the five stations—KGWY-FM; KAML-FM; KDDV-FM; KLED-FM; and KIML-AM—for the next year. Well-known citizens such as Rep. Gregg Blikre, Gillette Police Department Lieutenant Chuck Deaton, CCMH CEO Andy Fitzgerald and Mayor Tom Murphy have lent their voices to record some of the messages. Ads featuring different messages and voices will run each quarter.

"Suicide is a community health problem that affects people of all ages. We applaud the creation of this public awareness campaign," said Andy Fitzgerald, CEO. "We're committing resources to help with this effort to ultimately make a positive change in the number of suicides in Campbell County.

Sponsors for the first quarter's ads include Basin Radio Network, Campbell County Health Behavioral Health Services, Campbell County Suicide Prevention Coalition (CCSPC), and the Mattie Project. There are other sponsor openings available for the remaining quarters—contact Basin Radio Network at 686-2242 for information.

For more information about learning to recognize the signs of suicide, visit www.ccmh.net/preventsuicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Media Contact
Karen Clarke
Manager Community Relations
Phone: 307-688-1581
Email: karen.clarke@ccmh.net