National — September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic.
Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly.
Use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness, and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
According to the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), data collected by the department of health reveals the following numbers of suicides in Southeastern Indiana from 2011 to 2015:
- Dearborn County – 37
- Franklin County – 18
- Ripley County – 16
CMHC provides crisis intervention services at its Main Center in Lawrenceburg. The Center also offers crisis intervention services using a 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-877-849-1248 and an on-call crisis system. For more information, contact CMHC at 812-537-1302, or go to the website at www.cmhcinc.org to find an office near you.
