WASHINGTON (Sept. 11, 2023)—September 10-16, is National Suicide Prevention Week, an annual campaign to inform and engage the public about recognizing the warning signs and encouraging treatment for mental health. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reached a record high last year, with nearly 50,000 people who died as a result of intentional self-harm in 2022 or about 15 deaths for every 100,000 people. The U.S Surgeon General earlier this year released a report on the epidemic of loneliness which said the lack of connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The George Washington University has experts available to talk about a variety of aspects of the mental health crisis, including high rates of suicide, and mental health issues among vulnerable populations. To interview a GW expert, please contact GW Media Relations at [email protected].
Lorenzo Norris is an associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Chief Wellness Officer at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He is also medical director of the GW Resiliency & Well-being Center.
Viktoriya Karakcheyeva is the behavioral services director of the GW Resiliency and Well-being Center at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She can treating and spotting suicidal ideation, and also suicide contagion in young adults.
Kathleen M. Roche, professor of prevention and community health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, can talk about how Latino youth in the US can be at high risk for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Roche’s research identifies factors that put Latino youth at risk and can talk about ways teachers and parents can help mitigate that risk.
Olga Acosta Price, is an associate professor of prevention and community health and Director of the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. She can talk about the importance of having counselors in schools to help at-risk youth.