Ohio college offers suicide prevention programs year-round

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WTRF) –People considering suicide often feel completely alone.

At the Belmont County OSU Extension Office, they want you to know help is closer than you think.

September is suicide prevention month, and they have year-round programs teaching to provide immediate and meaningful help to anyone thinking of taking their own life.

They say taking a mental health first aid class is like taking a CPR course.

You learn skills just in case someday you can help someone.

In this case, it starts with how to spot the signs.

Depression, erratic behavior, sleep changes, increasing use of alcohol or drugs, or isolation.

Then, you learn what action to take.

If we can learn ways to connect people to resources and what’s available, it can be helpful and save lives. The 988 number is really helpful to call it and connect people with that, 24/7 assistance. And maybe even offering to take them to the doctor or the emergency room.”

Lorrissa Dunfee, Family & Consumer Sciences Educator

They also have stress management and mindfulness classes.

They urge us never to say “commit suicide” because that indicates blame or judgment.

And they say you can call the 988 number for another person.

To find out more about the classes, call the Belmont County OSU Extension Office at (740)-695-1455.

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