07/25/2024 | Mahoning County Residents Invited to Attend Community Town Hall on Suicide Prevention on Aug. 1

"Over the past several years the number of people taking their own lives has increased at an alarming rate," said MHRB Executive Director Duane Piccirilli. "Our community reached out to our state partner to help us address this issue and come up with a plan of action. We are excited for the support of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services."

Mahoning County saw 41 suicide deaths in 2021, 44 in 2022, and 53 in 2023. So far this year, the county has documented 29 suicide deaths, and is on pace to reach a new high for the fourth consecutive year. Statewide, suicide ranks as the 13th-leading cause of death among all Ohioans and the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10-14 and 20-34, according to the latest statisticsfrom the Ohio Department of Health. In 2022, there were 1,797 suicide deaths up from 1,766 in 2021. Males accounted for 80 percent of Ohio suicide deaths and Ohioans between the ages of 35-44 had the highest rate of suicide deaths.

"Under Governor DeWine's leadership, Ohio is committed to prioritizing access to community mental health services and supports," said Director Cornyn. "Help is available; you are never alone. This community conversation is an important step toward stemming the tide of suicide deaths and connecting Ohioans to vital services and supports before it's too late."

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Formal remarks begin at 6:30 p.m.

At 5:00 p.m., the MHRB is hosting a complimentary Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training for community members who want to learn how to identify and connect at-risk individuals to support services.

Warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at risk for attempting suicide include:

• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Making a plan or looking for ways to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Changing eating or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

"Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored," said Piccirilli. "If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988Lifeline.orgfor 24/7, confidential support.

Since its launch on July 16, 2022, use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has grown steadily. In that time, Ohio's 19 call centers - the most of any state in the nation - have responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts, and chats: an average of more than 14,000 contacts each month.

Ohio 988's average speed-to-answer rate is 25 seconds, compared to 36 seconds nationally, and since its launch, the average amount of calls rolling over to the national 988 network is just 2 percent, reflecting a workforce capacity that allows the vast majority of calls from Ohioans to be answered in-state, by individuals with knowledge of local resources that can make a difference in a crisis.

Slightly more than one-third of Ohioans (36%) currently express familiarity with 988, compared to just 17% nationally. To further boost visibility of the service, OhioMHAS launched a statewide, multimedia awareness campaign in May. This effort included the introduction of the Ohio988 Materials Generator, which allows anyone in Ohio - including schools, local governments, faith-based organizations, neighborhood groups, emergency response agencies, and individuals - to create customized posters, videos, social media posts, and more materials promoting the service and how it can help people.

Learn more at mha.ohio.gov/988.