Franklin County Draws Awareness To Suicide Prevention In September

Members of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition joined the Franklin County Commissioners for a proclamation presentation Sept. 18 to declare September to be Suicide Prevention Month in Franklin County.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed September to be Suicide Prevention Month and Sept. 10, 2024, to be Suicide Prevention Day in Franklin County.

In Pennsylvania, one person dies by suicide nearly every five hours, making suicide the commonwealth's third leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34 and the fifth leading cause of death for those ages 35-54. Between 1995 and 2023, Franklin County lost 470 lives to suicide; another 15 county residents committed suicide in the first eight months of 2024.

Nationally, the statistics are just as troubling. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was responsible for more than 49,000 U.S. deaths in 2022, or one person every 11 minutes. Data also indicates that 13.2 million Americans have seriously considered suicide, 3.8 million have made a plan for suicide, and 1.6 million have attempted suicide. Sadly, over 5.4 million Americans have lost a loved one to suicide.

"The loss of one life to suicide is one too many. Help is available and no one should ever feel they're alone," said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. "Conversations about mental health can be uncomfortable, but they are valuable and can make a difference. Sometimes just being present, listening and letting someone know you care can save a life."

By recognizing Suicide Prevention Month and Suicide Prevention Day in Franklin County, the commissioners are encouraging residents to be open and honest about the stresses and factors that contribute to harmful thoughts and to seek help to address their mental health needs and ultimately prevent suicides.

Information on local resources is available by contacting the Franklin/Fulton Mental Health Program at 717-264-5387 or by calling 211. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of immediate attention, help is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week through the Keystone Health Crisis Intervention Program by calling 717-264-2555 or through walk-in services at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. Help is also available by calling or texting the National Suicide Lifeline at 988.

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