<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17Wv1Q_0vjVJjas00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17Wv1Q_0vjVJjas00" width="1920" height="1272" ></figure>The Local CrisisSeptember is Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a difficult subject, but we have tohave a conversation about it. As a therapist, with over 10 years of experience, I haveextensive experience with mental health crises, including suicide, which I would like toshed some light on. It is important to me to bring awareness to suicide because preventionliterally saves lives. There is rarely a week that goes by that I don’t get a phone call or textabout suicide. Some people just have questions about how to help someone, but the mostheartbreaking is when a survivor or witness calls me needing trauma counseling. Thatmeans a valuable life slipped through the cracks. Yes, we have crisis lines (locally callHopewell 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 theOhio Department of Health, suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in Ohio. Perhaps, themost alarming statistic is that Meigs County is among the rates for highest number deathsby suicide in the State. Suicide is a public health crisis in Meigs County and beyond.Risk FactorsData 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. Suicidalitycertainly doesn’t discriminate, but the less talked about risk certainly is poverty. As atherapist I can tell you that as human beings we have basic needs. Food, water, shelter, andphysical safety are the most fundamental needs we have to survive. If a person experiencesfood insecurity, and lacks other basic needs like stable housing, heat, water, etc., ourbrains and bodies go into survival mode, fight, flight, freeze. These are the grounds wheresuicidality, depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse, and interpersonal violencethrive. While we are stuck in survival, humans simply don’t have the to capacity toexperience 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:<ul><li>Having a plan to complete suicide</li><li>Access to lethal means</li><li>Having a history of surviving a suicide attempt</li><li>Having a family history of suicide attempts or deaths by suicide</li><li>Having a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse</li><li>Having a history of neglect</li><li>Having a history of substance abuse</li><li>Experiencing moderate to severe stress</li><li>Experiencing loss</li><li>Having chronic illness or physical limitations</li><li>Financial stress</li><li>Lacking positive, healthy sources of support/relationships</li><li>Prolonged stress</li><li>Stressful life events such as divorce, unemployment, bullying, rejection, or</li><li>harassment</li><li>Discrimination</li></ul>Suicide Warning SignsThere are several warning signs that a person may be having thoughts of suicide. If aperson says they are having thoughts of suicide, take it seriously. We never know what aperson is truly thinking or feeling. A person may express feelings of hopelessness, feelingtrapped, feeling like a burden, having unbearable psychological or physical pain, feelingdepression, anxiety, effects of a psychological trauma, or express a loss of interests inthings they used to enjoy. A person may also exhibit impulsive behaviors such as increasedsubstance abuse, isolating oneself from others, or suddenly giving away prizedpossessions. A person may also suddenly behave relieved or suddenly improved; this canbe a sign of the relief they feel for having made the decision to die by suicide.How to HelpIf you are experiencing thoughts of suicide please reach out to a close friend, familymember, pastor, counselor, and if you don’t have anyone call a trained crisis counselor bydialing 988 from any phone or call 911 if you are experiencing an imminent emergency. Youare not alone, and help is available.If someone you may know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or have a plan tocomplete suicide, please reach out for help. Having thoughts of suicide doesn’t alwaysrequire involuntary hospitalization and it doesn’t mean a person is, “crazy.” Here are someways to for you, dear reader, to join the fight against suicide:<ul><li>Ask- Be proactive and ask, “Are you having thoughts of suicide?”</li><li>Listen – Support them in their pain, listen with empathy and compassion</li><li>Keep them safe – Put safety measures in place so no attempt is made until help</li><li>arrives</li><li>Help them connect- Help them connect with a crisis line (see the above resources),</li></ul><ul><li>call 911, contact a crisis counselor, or go to the nearest Emergency Department.</li></ul>Everyone Plays a Role in Preventing SuicideYou can help by educating yourself on suicide prevention, warning signs, riskfactors, and how to help. You can also support suicide prevention initiatives and spreadawareness. Knowing suicide doesn’t just affect adults, but children and adolescents too, ifyou notice something, say something. Ask. Listen. Support. Connect. Together, let’s showup for the people that need us and save lives. Together we can prevent suicide deaths.Written by Trisha Owsley, MA, LPCC-S, LICDCPsychotherapist, Educator, Speaker at Connective Clinical Wellness, LLC<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3nREDz_0vjVJjas00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3nREDz_0vjVJjas00" width="851" height="315" ></figure></div></body>

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Suicide Awareness: A Call to Action

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...