Suicide threats more than double

Suicides and suicide threats are on the rise in Madison County, according to statistics from the local mental health board.

Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties shared the most recent figures with area stakeholders during a meeting at the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) office on Thursday, March 24.

In 2013, there were five suicides in the county. In 2015, the number doubled to 10, according to dispatch data.

Additionally, there were 116 suicide threats recorded in 2015 — that is 47 more attempts than in 2014 and more than double the suicide threats of 2013.

“Suicide ideation has to be taken seriously,” said Roger Roberts, EMA director.

With that, Roberts sees the incidences of suicide threats and attempts as “a gatekeeper opportunity.”

A gatekeeper is one or more people, starting with family members and expanding to other groups, who are taught to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, which often leads to suicide, said Dr. Greta Mayer of the mental health board.

“How can we help educate people around those people (with depression/suicide ideation) so they know help is available and support them in getting the help they need?” Mayer said.

Last year the board held mental health first-aid workshops — one for Jonathan Alder teachers and another for a faith-based group. Jonathan Alder schools experienced two teen suicides in 2015.

More than 41,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year. It is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and is often characterized as a response to a single event or set of circumstances.

Mayer said our job, meaning all the agencies once the data is shared, is to figure out ways to get the word out to people about the signs and symptoms of suicide.

She saw the data sharing about suicide and depression as helpful.

“We know who were talking about, where the needs are,” she said. “That can drive our strategies and hopefully make some changes in the high numbers.

“It takes lots of creative partnerships for the differences we want to make.”

Madison County residents can call Mental Health & Alcohol/Drug Services at 740-845-7415. For more information visit www.mhscc.org.