The topic of suicide often seems to fly under the radar in public conversation. The stigma that mental health issues still have in society means that the most severe consequence of those issues is frequently ignored. But the numbers are there and cannot be denied.
In 2019— the most recent year for which the CDC has released statistics — suicide was ranked as the 10th most frequent cause of death in America, when over 47,000 people took their own lives. During that same 12 month span, nearly 40,000 Americans died as a result of firearm fatalities. Nearly 24,000 of them, 60 percent, were suicides.
Jen Wakefield knows these numbers, and the factors that lead to them, all too well. She is the director of the Lucas County Suicide Prevention Coalition (LCSPC), a group that works collaboratively with other area organizations in an effort to educate the public and help prevent suicide. “We are a coalition of people from clinical individuals who work in mental health as well as just your average neighbor citizen who is passionate about preventing suicide in our community,” Wakefield said.
Busting stigmas
LCSPC has existed for over a decade now, working with groups like the Thomas M. Wernert Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Mercy Health Foundation. The group hosts monthly support meetings, which have been virtual for a while now for obvious reasons. “We also offer free training for workplace stigma busting, allowing people to actually say things like, ‘I need a mental health day.’ Or educating employers about how important it is to consider people’s mental health in the workplace. We also present at big union meetings,” Wakefield said.
Over time, one of the biggest shifts has seen LCSPC expand its focus beyond reaching adults— as the group now hopes to grow its reach among young people, as well. Studies show that suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10 to 34. To combat this, LCSPC is hosting presentations in almost 50 local schools. “We give them the tools that they need to make an impact,” Wakefield said, adding “Be kind of a mentor or leader in their schools about understanding the importance of mental wellness and just being a positive figure, if somebody needs someone, that they are a safe person to talk to.”
Getting involved
Wakefield has dealt head on with the issues she works so passionately for.. She served in the military, whose members have a shockingly high suicide rate compared to the national average. From 2000-2010, the rate of suicides among men who served was roughly a third higher than the national average. For women who served, the rate was over five times higher. “(In the military) (m)ore people die by their own hands than in combat. So that’s a huge issue. So when I moved back home, because I’m originally from [Ohio], I saw the opportunity to get involved,” she said.
LCSPC will be working to raise awareness throughout September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month. Though the number of in-person events will still be limited, the group will release a PSA video as well as hosting a special cupcake event the week of September 4.
“We’re going to be having a cupcake competition among various local bakeries, where families can essentially drive through and pick up cupcakes, and they will be voting on their favorites for a fun cupcake trophy,” Wakefield said.
Never alone
Above all, Wakefield explains that for those struggling with thoughts of taking their own life, they need to be reminded that they are never alone. The NAMI Crisis Text Line, the CrisisCare Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (see below) are always available, 24/7. And if someone you love appears to be struggling, you can be the one thing that pulls them back from the brink.
“Pay attention to noticeable changes. Perhaps someone once was a very outgoing, enthusiastic person, maybe they had a lot of hobbies. And now, they may seem to be withdrawing, or have had a really big mood shift. People who have gone through some pretty big life changes, whether those are wanted or unwanted— a divorce in their family, a school change that they maybe were forced to make— it’s definitely worth checking on. Not only the people that you think could be struggling, but the people that you think are the strongest, with the biggest smiles. Because some people are much better at hiding behind that mask than others.”
For immediate assistance, and for more information, contact the following resources:
NAMI Crisis Text Line: Text NAMI to 741-741.
CrisisCare Line: 419-904-CARE (2273).
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
