Stopping suicides

SANDUSKY — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced an updated plan to eliminate obstacles for families and individuals grappling with suicide. Known as the Suicide Prevention Plan, this three-year plan, covering a period between 2024 and 2026, "aims to promote life-saving strategies statewide," according to an announcement by the governor's office. It was a collaboration between several state agencies that deal with public health and was funded by the state's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. DeWine said that "this plan will bring about a system-wide commitment to reduce suicides and encourage communities to work collectively to foster understanding and destigmatize mental health challenges." What is included in the plan? Tony Coder, executive director of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, said that the plan focuses on implementing suicide prevention, treatment and postvention services for all Ohioans. "Ohio is committed to reducing the loss of life due to suicide," Coder said. "There are proven strategies to prevent suicide: medical, behavioral and environmental strategies can affect the health and surroundings of the individual at risk of suicide. All Ohioans can contribute to preventing suicide." Austin Lucas, the foundation's program director, said that five Ohioans die by suicide every day. Key components of the plan include raising and strengthing public knowledge and providing accommodations that reduce barriers to participating in high-quality suicide prevention and treatment. "It's important to use relevant data and evidence to prevent suicide. On an issue as important as suicide prevention, a strong focus on what works is essential," Lucas said. The plan includes four strategic priorities, each with a unique set of goals specifically made for that priority. For example, one strategic goal is to "strengthen public knowledge and ability to promote wellness, recognize suicide risk and take appropriate action for self and others." Another goal is to "reduce and address stigma" by expanding stigma reduction messaging and communications to include messages about suicide and how to access help. What does the data say? Suicide rates have increased both statewide and nationally over the past five years. The number of suicide deaths increased by 8%, to about 1,800 deaths per year statewide, and the rate of suicide deaths went up by 7% to almost 15 deaths per 100,000 people, according to Ohio Department of Health data from 2020 and 2021. Data also shows people living in rural areas commit suicide at a higher rate than those living in urban areas. For instance, out of the top 15 counties for suicide deaths, 14 are considered rural. The state's plan attributed that to a lack of rural mental health care access and due to the lower populations of Ohio's rural counties. From 2017 to 2021, Gallia County, located on the state's southeastern border, had the highest suicide rate (28.1 per 100,000 population). Here are the suicide rates for counties in the local area, using data from the years 2017 to 2021: • Erie — 14.8 per 100,000 population • Huron — 19.6 per 100,000 population • Ottawa — 19.7 per 100,000 population • Sandusky — 15.3 per 100,000 population Furthermore, certain demographics — namely men, young adults, veterans, those with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community — also experience higher-than-average suicide rates, the state health department noted. Officials are aware and want to address this situation immediately. "Strategies always include tailoring, developing, and implementing initiatives that are specifically designed to address the unique risk factors experienced by each community," Lucas said. "We know that suicide prevention for every community and demographic needs to be taken into consideration by intentionally collaborating with members of those communities. We need to listen to their needs first."