Star Journal Report

A tri-county effort is underway through a coaster campaign in local bars and taverns. The campaign focuses on men getting help for mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety. The strategy is provided by the Community, Outreach, Prevention, Education Coalition (COPE) Coalition. The coalition is an effort through Forest, Oneida, and Vilas counties that provides education, prevention, and outreach on the issues of mental health and AODA.

“This is one of the strategies for suicide prevention for middle-aged males,” said Tammi Boers, Vilas County Public Health Department.  “According to the 2016 Centers for Disease (CDC) data, suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death for males ages 55 to 64.”

Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH) data ranks the Vilas County suicide rate of 21.2 per 100,000 as the second highest in Wisconsin; it’s nearly double the national rate.  Oneida County has a rate of 16.5 suicides per 100,000 people and Forest County is 12.7 per 100,000.

The coaster is a resource that may provide hope to someone and possibly save a life.  The front of the coaster has a link to the https://headsupguys.org website. The back side provides patrons with the local Tri-County Crisis number 888-299-1188 and the National Crisis Line, 800-273-TALK (8255). Support through these agencies is available 24/7.

“The websites provide information and resources on mental illness and suicide,” said Jason Dailey, Assistant County Veterans Service Officer for Oneida County. “It’s easy to follow and includes ways to obtain support, such as therapy or medication management in the community in which you reside.”