Dialogue about suicide opens avenues of help

Sept. 14--ASHLAND -- Knowing there is a way to get help has been key in reaching out to those struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.

John Draper, director for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline project, said increased publicity about the 24-hour hotline at (800) 273-TALK has caused a surge in calls, especially following the widely reported suicide of acclaimed actor Robin Williams in August 2014.

Draper told USA Today the conversation about mental health spurred by Williams' death is what led to the lifeline's record-breaking 7,500 calls the day after the actor died.

But Draper said he does not believe the increase in calls is necessarily a sign more are distressed. Instead, he thinks it is more indicative of a revelation of those who had never reached out for help.

He told USA Today the media coverage "is not so much creating distress as finding people in distress. The more people who are calling, the more lives will be saved."

Conversation about suicide is again stirring in light of September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 15 to 29. Worldwide data also shows 75 percent of suicides occur in low-income or middle-income countries.

Pesticides, hanging and firearms are the most common methods of suicide used globally, and one of the measures WHO suggested in preventing suicide is to restrict access to these means in homes.

Other preventive measures recommend by WHO are identifying signs of suicidal tendencies, thoughts or mental-health problems early; training health-care workers and medical professionals to deal with suicide; and taking follow-up care and community support more seriously.

The organization suggested a comprehensive multisectoral approach involving the media, government and society is key to preventing suicide worldwide, which is why WHO emphasizes responsible media reporting on the topic.

The Independent recently reported the suicide rate is up in Boyd County, according to Coroner Mark Hammond. He said the county already reached its typical annual maximum of suicides before 2015 was halfway over.

The previous three years have yielded only about six suicides annually. For 2015, Boyd has already reported 10 suicides -- four in July, with two of those on the same day.

"I would like to do something proactive to let people know suicide doesn't have to happen. There is a way out," Hammond said.

Though suicide can happen for a number of reasons, Hammond said three major contributors are alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness and economic downturn.

The Kentucky Suicide Prevention Group is dedicated to engaging the public in discussions about suicide and suicide loss (those who have lost loved ones to suicide) to talk about how to get help, signs to look for when someone is distressed and how to effectively grieve those who took their own lives.

For more information about the prevention group, visit kentuckysuicideprevention.org.

The uptick in calls to the national prevention hotline could be a result of what is referred to as suicide "contagion," which triggers suicidal tendencies in those who are susceptible when celebrities die by the method.

Because of unpredictable tendencies, the media is encouraged by mental-health advocates to responsibly report the deaths as not appearing to be an attractive option. But bringing the topic into the public arena can connect those who are struggling so they do not feel they are suffering alone.

"People don't have to do this," Hammond said. "Most people, if they had another 30 seconds or a minute to think about what they were doing, would probably end up walking away."

LANA BELLAMY can be reached at lbellamy@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653. Follow @lanabellamy_DI on Twitter.

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