September is National Suicide Prevention Month – a time to encourage communities to collectively recognize suicide as a public health issue, coalesce efforts to prevent suicide and support those who have been impacted by suicide. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office released the 2020 Franklin County Suicide Fatality Data Brief on August 27 and highlighted key trends. Findings indicated that the suicide rate for African Americans increased 54 percent between 2017 to 2020. During this same period, most suicide deaths were caused by firearms. In 2020, residents aged 20-24 experienced the highest suicide rate, and the highest percentage occurred in residents aged 65 years and older.
“This month, it is important now more than ever to consider any additional steps you could take to help your family, friends, and loved ones who may be experiencing hopelessness, helplessness, or suicidal thoughts,” said Michelle Vargas, Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition (FCSPC) Director. She recommends considering the following seven ways to recognize National Suicide Prevention Month:
“This month, it is important now more than ever to consider any additional steps you could take to help your family, friends, and loved ones who may be experiencing hopelessness, helplessness, or suicidal thoughts,” said Michelle Vargas, Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition (FCSPC) Director. She recommends considering the following seven ways to recognize National Suicide Prevention Month:
- Take time to attend an evidence-based suicide prevention training
- Check in with a loved one who may be experiencing social isolation or anxiety during the pandemic
- Identify a group in your life that serves individuals or families (e.g., place of work, place of worship, volunteer group, sports group, club, etc.) and contact the FCSPC to organize a group training
- Follow the FCSPC on Twitter and Facebook and share the Suicide Prevention Month content to elevate conversations on reducing stigma and increasing awareness of support services (e.g., Life is better with you here)
- For households with youth – ensure that any lethal means in your home are locked up appropriately
- Start a habit of checking in on your mental health
- Add the Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741) and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) to your contacts, in case of an emergency
Communities need to be more comprehensive in their suicide prevention efforts by first acknowledging suicide as an issue and then collaboratively addressing it. The 2020 Franklin County Community Readiness Assessment found that community members are unlikely to talk about suicide due to its perceived stigma. However, 2016-2018 data indicates that five percent of Franklin County adults aged 18 or older had serious thoughts of suicide and eight percent of Franklin County adults had a major depressive episode in the past year (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Data Archive).
Community suicide prevention events such as the upcoming Dublin Suicide Prevention Town Hall on September 15 and the Out of the Darkness Walk on October 3 communicate that individuals who may be struggling are not alone and help is available. Join the FCSPC at these upcoming events to support local efforts in decreasing stigma, increasing awareness of support services, and promoting hope.
Community suicide prevention events such as the upcoming Dublin Suicide Prevention Town Hall on September 15 and the Out of the Darkness Walk on October 3 communicate that individuals who may be struggling are not alone and help is available. Join the FCSPC at these upcoming events to support local efforts in decreasing stigma, increasing awareness of support services, and promoting hope.
