Wyoming suicide prevention initiatives are producing measurable results through community-based training programs, state officials said during Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month.
Lincoln County's prevention program achieved a 60 percent reduction in suicide across 2021 to 2024 by embedding evidence-based PROSPER protocols into the community. Both school districts in the county mandated intensive crisis training for middle and high school personnel, and students were trained to recognize peers in crisis and involve trusted adults.
The statewide PROSPER Project, expanding the Lincoln County model, has trained over 4,000 Wyoming citizens across faith-based communities, schools, parents, educators, and first responders. The program provides frameworks to identify people at risk and teach community members how to help each other.
The state's Veterans Talking to Veterans program, which trains veteran and spouse peer coaches, has expanded to serve first responders and emergency workers. Suicide rates among veterans historically run nearly double the state baseline.
Crisis Team 6, working with local law enforcement and crisis hotlines, has saved 13 lives, according to the team's founder. Wyoming operates the 988 Lifeline with full 24/7 in-state answering, routing calls to local operators rather than out-of-state centers.