Editor's Note: Each of these letters began by saying: September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time for each of us to reach out to those around us and take steps to prevent suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's theme for the month is "Together, we can help #StopSuicide."
To the Editor:
One action I'm taking this month to help #StopSuicide is contacting my public officials and urging them to prioritize funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and our local crisis call centers. In July 2022, the new 988 number will be fully operational as the universal phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This easy-to-remember three-digit number will increase access to vital mental health and suicide crisis supports. Calls are also projected to increase substantially when the 988 number goes fully live. NOW is the time to provide the funding to support our local crisis centers to meet the needs of more 988 callers.
Together, we can ensure that everyone in crisis has access to care should they need it.
Together, we can help #StopSuicide.
Cristina Frick
Worthington
To the Editor:
My husband of 20 years passed away six years ago from suicide and our youngest son tragically passed away from suicide just last month at the age of only 18. Both suffered from unspecified depressive disorder originating from trauma in childhood (husband: emotionally distant/abusive family upbringing) (son: shocking loss of his father at age 12). Sadly, both would not seek counseling or medication and were adamant that there was nothing wrong with them; everyone else had the problems. For my son, after Mom alerting the school numerous times, conducting a well being check with our local sheriff's office at home and reluctance to seeking counseling with the right counselor, my son ended his life. Leading up to both suicides, they became very distant, unengaged, and non-emotional from family and friends. As a wife and mother I could only relate these traumatic events to a freight train that I saw might be coming but couldn't stop and felt powerless to do more. I truly believe society should seriously consider increased resources in providing a resort-like setting/environment (not a psychiatric hospital) where they can temporarily live away from home for several months and be provided high level counseling and treatment to help solve this growing, complicated mental health issue. These life altering events have forever changed me and my family or what's left of it.
Laurie Johnson
Delaware
To the Editor:
I started getting more involved personally in suicide prevention after losing my mother, Dr. Anita Lang, this past December 2020 to suicide. She was a wonderful mother, daughter, wife, and friend to so many. My Mom was also a physician - working hard to help her patients during not only a global pandemic, but also an opioid epidemic. We cannot afford to lose any more adults, children, or teens to this preventable health crisis, especially as so many people have felt more isolated and anxious this past year and a half.
Jordan Taylor
Marysville
To the Editor:
At 26 years old (2 years ago) I lost my precious mom to mental illness. The day after my birthday. There needs to be more done. More resources, more affordable help. We need to do something! No one should feel so hopeless, so lost in being helped that suicide is their only option.
One action I'm taking this month to help #StopSuicide is contacting my public officials and urging them to prioritize funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and our local crisis call centers. In July 2022, the new 988 number will be fully operational as the universal phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This easy-to-remember three-digit number will increase access to vital mental health and suicide crisis supports. Calls are also projected to increase substantially when the 988 number goes fully live. NOW is the time to provide the funding to support our local crisis centers to meet the needs of more 988 callers.
Together, we can ensure that everyone in crisis has access to care should they need it.
Together, we can help #StopSuicide.
Courtney Leonard
Blacklick
