MOUNT VERNON – So far in Ohio, there hasn't been an increase in suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic; Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, told the Mount Vernon News.
But there has been an increase in calls to suicide prevention lines.
“We're trying to beat back the narrative that suicides are increasing,” Coder said. “Right now, we're about average compared to last year. But the last two years have been record-breaking years in Ohio for suicides, so it's still not anything to be proud of.”
Approximately five people every day— 1,800 a year— commit suicide in Ohio, he noted.
The real impacts of the pandemic might not show until six to nine months after the pandemic is over, particularly as financial hardships that were endured under COVID-19 start to take a toll, Coder said.
“We're expecting a surge [in suicides] and we have seen the number of calls increase, but right now those haven't equated, thank God, to suicide deaths,” he said.
Isolation has been the toughest component of COVID-19 mentally.
“We're all supposed to be celebrating Thanksgiving with our families, but a lot of families aren't going to be getting together this year— and probably heading into Christmas as well,” Coder said. “It really concerns because it contributes to the isolation and to the lack of hope— will things ever get back to normal.”
Ohio was the last state to develop a suicide prevention plan, Coder said. His group worked with United Health Care, the governor’s office and other organizations to develop a plan.
“We know that 45% of people who die from suicide saw their primary care within a month of killing themselves,” he said. “With our partnership with United Healthcare, we are exploring how we can encourage more mental health assessments. Working with United Healthcare and physicians was a missed opportunity for the longest time.”
Federal, state and local governments and organizations— including those advocating for veterans— now meet regularly to discuss ways to reduce suicide, Coder said.
“We're coming together to combat this really dangerous public health issue,” he said. “We have a great coalition right there in Knox County that meets every other Thursday to discuss and look at suicide. We're putting a lot of emphasis on those local structures. We can't do it from Columbus.”
If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or having thoughts of suicide, please contact one of these local services immediately:
Mental Health Services
Behavioral Healthcare Partners
8402 Blackjack Road, Mount Vernon
877-593-6330
Mental Health America &
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
15 E. Vine St., Mount Vernon
740-397-3088
The Main Place
117 W. High St., Mount Vernon
740-392-9491
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