Bullying and Suicide Program

Recent News and Events:

  • In the US:
    • over 47,173 reported suicide deaths in 2017
    • more than twice as many suicides as homicides
    • a person dies by suicide about every 13 minutes
  • In Illinois:
    • more than 1,000 Illinoisans die by suicide each year
    • the first leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 14
    • the 3rd leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 34
    • the 4th leading cause of death for those between the ages of 35 and 54
    • men are three to four times more likely than women to die from suicide
  • Factors that may increase the suicide risk include:
    • history of suicide attempts
    • history of depression and other mental disorders
    • history alcohol and drug abuse
    • history of violence or suicide of another family member
    • feeling of hopelessness
    • impulsive or aggressive tendencies
    • genetic/biological determinants
    • Isolation, a feeling of being cut of from other people
    • Barriers to accessing mental health treatment

Purpose of the Program: The Suicide Prevention Program (SPP) is funded by the Chicago Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) under the leadership of the Chicago Collaborative for Bullying and Suicide Prevention (CCBSP). The purpose of this program is to reduce stigma around suicide in Chicago by forming a collaborative that will work together to provide culturally competent and language appropriate education and intervention to the target population.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please call the 24/7 hotlines for help:

1-800-784-2433 or 1-800-273-8255

Suicide Prevention: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

National Institute for Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov

Suicide Prevention Resource Centerwww.sprc.org

The seven new health priorities of the newly elected mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, have been released, and the first priority is mental health.

Midwest Asian Health Association (MAHA) is the only organization serving the Asian American population selected to convene the Chicago Collaborative for Bullying and Suicide Prevention (CCBSP).

Collaborating with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Erie Neighborhood House (ENH), we aim to provide meaningful impact across the City of Chicago through resource development, community awareness, and education opportunities. One of our first steps is working together to identify agencies, groups, and individuals that may have an interest in these important matters to create the Chicago Collaborative for Bullying and Suicide Prevention (CCBSP). Interested groups and individuals are invited to meet and develop a shared vision of what we plan to achieve by working together.

For more information, please contact Melissa Wee at (312)285-2287 or [email protected]