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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties is committed to preventing suicide and raising awareness year-round. This month is a time when we can join others across our nation and here locally to cover our communities with resources. 

Suicide in 2021

Everyone has faced difficulties this past year due to the COVID-19 crisis. Unfortunately, suicide rates were already increasing before the hardships of this pandemic hit. 

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Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Suicidal thoughts are common but should not be considered normal as they indicate more serious issues.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities.

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The pandemic has exasperated many factors and triggers that can lead to suicidal thoughts, such as loneliness or depression.  

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Find out if you are experiencing symptoms of suicidal thoughts, anxiety, or depression by taking a Mental Health Screening. You can also take a screening on behalf of a loved one.

Take an anonymous screening at wecarepeople.org/screening.​

There is no cost to the screenings. This tool is provided by public funding. This means it belongs to the community, to you. It’s yours to use whenever you want a check-in!

Youth and Suicide

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Youth are at particular risk of dying by suicide. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.

The early data is already showing an increase in suicide and suicide attempts in 2021.

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Learn the suicide warning signs to help prevent suicide. Find more signs and suicide risk factors here

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Parents can call our 24/7 Hopeline on behalf of a loved one. If you are worried about your child, don't wait. Find a local resource or help by calling the Hopeline.

24/7 HOPEline: 1-800-567-4673


If it is an emergency, call 911.

African Americans and Suicide

While suicide can affect people of any race, gender, or background, it can affect groups of people more depending on the things they face in the world.

Black men are at particular risk because of the stigma against seeking help, the systemic problems they face in society, and increasing racial tensions.

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Suicide is also increasing among Black youth. 

Black girls in grades 9-12 are 60% more likely to attempt suicide than non-Hispanic white girls.

The growing stress of daily life tasks like school, rising racial tensions, and childhood trauma which Black children are more likely to experience all lead to this increase. 

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If you or someone you love is experiencing signs of suicide or is in crisis, don't wait. Call our 24/7 Hopeline for help and local resources.

Hopeline: 1-800-567-4673

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Veterans and Suicide

Since 2001, more than 114,000 veterans have died by suicide.

Some of the factors for this devastating loss are PTSD from combat, homelessness, substance use disorders, experiences such as not being deployed, personal and social trauma like sexual assault or harassment of minority groups such as LGBTQ+, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life.

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Are you an Ohio veteran or active duty military in crisis? The Ohio Careline is available. 

The CareLine is confidential, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is operated by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, but it’s trained professionals throughout Ohio who answer the calls.

Ohio Careline: 1-800-720-9616

You can also call the national Veterans Crisis Line through the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-273-8255, and Press 1.

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More Resources for Suicide Prevention

Suicide is one of those subjects that many of us feel uncomfortable discussing. If you're the one feeling suicidal, you may be afraid that you'll be judged or labeled "crazy" if you open up. Or maybe that no one could possibly understand. It's not much easier for concerned friends and family members who may hesitate to speak up for fear that they're wrong or might say the wrong thing. 

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Find out how to talk to get help if you are having suicidal thoughts or how to talk to a loved one about concerns at wecarepeople.org/suicide. There are also resources for if you've experienced a loss of a loved one to suicide. 

There is hope. There is help.

If you are in crisis call 1-800-567-HOPE (4673) or text 741 741.

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