(Posted Dec. 7, 2017)
The Madison County Depression and Suicide Prevention Coalition has introduced a campaign to bring awareness to the increase in depression and suicide among men in Madison County.
The campaign materials provide Madison County residents, businesses and organizations with resources for friends, family members and co-workers who might be depressed or contemplating suicide.
The information packet includes free brochures that businesses and organizations can distribute to customers and/or employees, along with a free countertop poster to display near a cash register or on a bulletin board. Businesses and organizations can order additional campaign materials for free.
Also included is information on a suicide prevention training process called QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer. The free, QPR training session is slated for Dec. 13 in London (see details below) and is open to business owners, their employees, civic organizations or anyone interested in learning how to identify, question, persuade and refer someone to seek help.
The campaign materials feature Zack Starr, a former Madison County resident, 1995 London High School graduate and Navy veteran, as the “face” of the initiative. Still suffering from chronic pain after numerous shoulder surgeries, Zack now provides support and referrals through his non-profit organization, VetConnect, to other injured veterans who experience depression or have thoughts of suicide.
For nearly a decade, the Madison County Depression and Suicide Prevention Coalition has been working to bring greater awareness to depression and suicide in Madison County. Like most places in the United States, Madison County is not immune to increased rates of depression that in some cases have led to suicide attempts and completions.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, more than 44,000 people take their lives every year in the United States. In Ohio, between 1,200 and 1,500 people take their lives each year. More than 70 percent of people who complete suicide are men. About 20 veterans take their lives every day, which accounts for 22.2 percent of all suicides annually in the United States.
This year, Madison County has seen the number of suicides nearly double, contrasted with 2016. In 2016, four people completed suicide in Madison County. So far this year, nine people have committed suicide, most of them men. In that same period, there were 42 suicide attempts and 68 threats of suicide among Madison County residents.
“The increase we’re seeing in Madison County is alarming,” says Roger Roberts, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency and chair of the coalition. “Depression and suicide are growing issues that require the involvement of our entire community in order to save lives. This campaign can encourage men to talk with their friends and family about depression and be more comfortable with seeking professional help.”
In recent weeks, members of the Coalition have been contacting businesses, making presentations to local civic organizations, and participating in community events to distribute the information package throughout the county.
For more information about the campaign, call (740) 852-4000 and leave a message or stop by the EMA offices at 271 Elm St., London. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Suicide prevention training
The Madison County Depression and Suicide Prevention Coalition (MCDSPC) is offering a free suicide prevention training on Dec. 13 for anyone in Madison County, including business owners, organizations and the general public.
The training is set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), 271 Elm St., London. The curriculum was developed by the nationally recognized QPR Institute. Amanda Hampton, an Ohio certified prevention specialist and family services and prevention education programs manager, will lead the training. Light refreshments will be served.
QPR stands for “question, persuade, refer.” The mission of the QPR program is to teach attendees how to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors. MCDSPC believes that quality education and training empowers people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Once participants complete the training class, they are then referred to as a QPR gatekeeper.
Since January of this year, nine people have committed suicide in Madison County—more than double the number from 2016. Attempted suicides are also on the rise throughout Madison County.
For more information about the training, call the Coalition at (740) 852-4000 and leave a message or stop by the EMA office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Call the EMA office or by reserve a seat online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/qpr-tickets-39234836452 (password: QPREMA).
