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The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
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September is
the month for suicide awareness
By Melissa Martin
“The statistics for suicide in America are disturbingly high. It is
tragic not only for the one whose life was cut short, but also for
those loved ones left behind after their death. On average, there are
750,000 people a year whose lives are directly impacted by the suicide
of a loved one. For many, these effects continue for years, even a
lifetime,” according to a 2017 article in Psychology Today.
www.psychologytoday.com/.
September is the month to learn more about how to prevent suicide. All
month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors,
allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention
awareness. The following observances are recognized: Suicide Prevention
and Awareness Month; September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day; and
September 10-16 is National Suicide Prevention Week.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recognizes Suicide
Prevention Awareness Month in September. Help promote awareness by
sharing images and graphics on your website and social media accounts.
Use #SuicidePrevention or #StigmaFree. NAMI is the nation’s largest
grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better
lives for Americans affected by mental illness.www.nami.org/.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential
emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The 30th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide
Prevention takes place in 2019. Learn more about The International
Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) at www.iasp.info/.
Suicide Prevention in Ohio
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-34 in
Ohio. Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall in Ohio
In July, 2015 Governor Kasich signed House Bill 28 into law; a bill
that impacts suicide prevention on campuses in Ohio. HB 28 requires
public institutions of higher education to advise students and staff on
suicide prevention programs. HB 28 addresses students that live on and
off their college campuswww.suicideprevention.ohio.gov/.
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has a
suicide prevention plan that includes the following:
One: Prevention strategies educate the public on the signs exhibited by
a person who may be considering suicide and suggest what others can do
about it.
Two: Treatment access for a person who has been identified to be
struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide is a critical piece
of the puzzle.
Three: Postvention activities address the needs of those who attempted
suicide and help loved ones cope with the loss of those who do take
their own lives. www.mha.ohio.gov/.
The Ohio General Assembly allocated special funding in both the 2016-17
and 2018-
19 biennial budgets to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services
(OhioMHAS) to develop comprehensive approaches that decrease Ohio’s
suicide rates.
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation sponsors a program called
LOSS-Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors. The volunteer LOSS Teams
ensure that those impacted by suicide have the immediate support needed
to cope with their trauma.
In 2016, State Representative Marlene Anielski introduced legislation
(House Bill 440) that would designate the Saturday before Thanksgiving
as “Ohio Survivors of Suicide Loss Day” to promote awareness for
suicide loss. Gov. Kasich signed House Bill 440 into law in 2017.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month raises awareness and encourages
education on how to prevent it. How is your county, city, community,
campus, and school going to promote suicide awareness and prevention in
September 2018?
Melissa Martin,
Ph.D, is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist. She lives in
Ohio. www.melissamartinchildrensauthor.com.
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