Suicide Awareness: A Call to Action

The Local Crisis

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a difficult subject, but we have to
have a conversation about it. As a therapist, with over 10 years of experience, I have
extensive experience with mental health crises, including suicide, which I would like to
shed some light on. It is important to me to bring awareness to suicide because prevention
literally saves lives. There is rarely a week that goes by that I don’t get a phone call or text
about suicide. Some people just have questions about how to help someone, but the most
heartbreaking is when a survivor or witness calls me needing trauma counseling. That
means a valuable life slipped through the cracks. Yes, we have crisis lines (locally call
Hopewell Health Centers (888)-475-8484, Crisis Lifeline call 988, Crisis Text Line 741741),
yes, we have local therapists, like me, but we are still losing lives. In fact, according to the
Ohio Department of Health, suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in Ohio. Perhaps, the
most alarming statistic is that Meigs County is among the rates for highest number deaths
by suicide in the State. Suicide is a public health crisis in Meigs County and beyond.

Risk Factors

Data tells us that the highest rates of suicide in Ohio come from Appalachian counties.
Our neighbor, Vinton County, being top ranked in the state for death by suicide. Suicidality
certainly doesn’t discriminate, but the less talked about risk certainly is poverty. As a
therapist I can tell you that as human beings we have basic needs. Food, water, shelter, and
physical safety are the most fundamental needs we have to survive. If a person experiences
food insecurity, and lacks other basic needs like stable housing, heat, water, etc., our
brains and bodies go into survival mode, fight, flight, freeze. These are the grounds where
suicidality, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse, and interpersonal violence
thrive. While we are stuck in survival, humans simply don’t have the to capacity to
experience love and belonging, or the capability to develop a healthy sense of self-esteem.
Keep in mind, these are factors in addition to the some of the ones you may already know:

• Having a plan to complete suicide
• Access to lethal means
• Having a history of surviving a suicide attempt
• Having a family history of suicide attempts or deaths by suicide
• Having a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Having a history of neglect
• Having a history of substance abuse
• Experiencing moderate to severe stress
• Experiencing loss
• Having chronic illness or physical limitations
• Financial stress
• Lacking positive, healthy sources of support/relationships
• Prolonged stress
• Stressful life events such as divorce, unemployment, bullying, rejection, or
  harassment
• Discrimination

Suicide Warning Signs

There are several warning signs that a person may be having thoughts of suicide. If a
person says they are having thoughts of suicide, take it seriously. We never know what a
person is truly thinking or feeling. A person may express feelings of hopelessness, feeling
trapped, feeling like a burden, having unbearable psychological or physical pain, feeling
depression, anxiety, effects of a psychological trauma, or express a loss of interests in
things they used to enjoy. A person may also exhibit impulsive behaviors such as increased
substance abuse, isolating oneself from others, or suddenly giving away prized
possessions. A person may also suddenly behave relieved or suddenly improved; this can
be a sign of the relief they feel for having made the decision to die by suicide.

How to Help

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide please reach out to a close friend, family
member, pastor, counselor, and if you don’t have anyone call a trained crisis counselor by
dialing 988 from any phone or call 911 if you are experiencing an imminent emergency. You
are not alone, and help is available.
If someone you may know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or have a plan to
complete suicide, please reach out for help. Having thoughts of suicide doesn’t always
require involuntary hospitalization and it doesn’t mean a person is, “crazy.” Here are some
ways to for you, dear reader, to join the fight against suicide:

• Ask- Be proactive and ask, “Are you having thoughts of suicide?”
• Listen – Support them in their pain, listen with empathy and compassion
• Keep them safe – Put safety measures in place so no attempt is made until help
  arrives
• Help them connect- Help them connect with a crisis line (see the above resources),
  call 911, contact a crisis counselor, or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Everyone Plays a Role in Preventing Suicide

You can help by educating yourself on suicide prevention, warning signs, risk
factors, and how to help. You can also support suicide prevention initiatives and spread
awareness. Knowing suicide doesn’t just affect adults, but children and adolescents too, if
you notice something, say something. Ask. Listen. Support. Connect. Together, let’s show
up for the people that need us and save lives. Together we can prevent suicide deaths.

Written by Trisha Owsley, MA, LPCC-S, LICDC
Psychotherapist, Educator, Speaker at Connective Clinical Wellness, LLC