To the Editor:
National Suicide Prevention Awareness
I want to thank you personally for bringing about awareness to suicide prevention and suicide by publishing letters from Individuals sharing experiences of being bereaved through suicide and how they came to live their "new normal,” so to speak, in the Saturday, Aug. 28, edition of the News. Sept. 5-11 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness week, and Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.
“Awareness is prevention,” so they say. And this is our goal as advocates to encourage others who believe good mental health is important and discourage the stigma that surrounds behavioral and emotional disorders.
On Sept. 10, our NAMI is inviting the public to attend a free two-hour program to help us learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicidal ideation and what you can do to help – “QPR:” Question, Persuade, Refer. Register to attend by emailing namiklcohio@embarqmail.com or calling 740-397-3088. Registration by Sept. 4 will be appreciated to prepare class materials.
Here’s some statistics our citizens may not be aware of that that involve our local law and emergency response forces when they are called to save lives: To date in 2021, according to the Knox County Sheriff reports, there have been 184 emergency suicide/attempt responses countywide that include three completed suicides. In many of the calls, our city’s medics are involved in assisting or transporting to emergency care facilities. We do not have access to the official countywide count of deaths by suicide. Not known, regarding a loss by suicide, is the number of how many families and loved ones are suffering the pain of that loss as in the story of Anessa Hill’s daughter, Tyler, who chose to end her life at 25, leaving two little boys, AJ and Carter, behind.
Be aware, know the warning signs. If you need help – reach out! There is help by simply calling the national talk line – 800-273-TALK (8255). Or just 911. Request that a CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) officer be sent.
Dodie Melvin, director
NAMI Knox Licking County Ohio
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