May 02, 2008
Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has established a strong commitment to improving the mental health of the people of Louisiana, and children are no exception. Statistics outline the challenge that policy makers, educators, parents, community leaders and advocates face: suicide is the third most common cause of death in young people, both nationally and in Louisiana. Ninety percent of teenagers who die by suicide have a mental health problem, usually depression, substance abuse or both. An estimated 3,500 adolescents attempt suicide every day.