Thurston County has officially declared September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with a focus on reducing suicide through education, advocacy, and community support.
The proclamation was adopted by the Board of Health on September 10, emphasizing the importance of bringing hope to those affected by suicide and fostering a community dedicated to saving lives.
“Recognizing the importance of checking in on and supporting one another is something every one of us can do,” the proclamation read.
Recent statistics show an increase in suicide rates in the United States. Between 2020 and 2022, suicide rates rose by 5%, with a death occurring every 11 minutes in 2022.
Suicide is now the 11th leading cause of death nationwide and is the second leading cause of death for young people in Washington State, particularly among those aged 10-34.
In Thurston County, 2023 statistics showed that 17% of 10th graders reported seriously considering suicide, and 12% had made a plan to attempt suicide.
Elizabeth Hawkins, Thurston’s Maternal Child Health, Education and Outreach Specialist, outlined several ongoing initiatives aimed at suicide prevention.
"One of them is QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer," she said, referring to the free training offered throughout the county.
The training aims to help people recognize signs of suicide and provide assistance.
The county also offers various mental health support groups and outreach efforts, including videos in local movie theaters and community events.
Erica Dennehy, Clinical Director at Olympic Health and Recovery Services emphasized the broader community impact of suicide.
"It’s not just a mental health issue; it is a community issue," she stated.
Dennehy highlighted the significant progress in crisis support services over the years, mentioning that her organization handles around 300 crisis calls monthly and provides mobile crisis outreach to those in need.
From January to June 2024, over 7,100 mobile crisis outreaches were conducted in the region.
Thurston County residents are encouraged to engage in suicide prevention efforts by learning more about available resources and checking in on loved ones.
Residents may contact the county at (360) 867-2500 or email for educational materials or additional support.
If you or you know someone who is in need of immediate help, please call 911 or call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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