This article is from Owensboro Times. See the original post here.
September is National Suicide Awareness Month, and RiverValley Behavioral Health is dedicated to raising awareness and decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health needs.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is the second-leading cause of death among those ages 10-34 and the 12th-leading cause of death overall in the U.S. While nearly half (46%) of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
RVBH officials said those stats signify the need for suicide prevention efforts.
Throughout the month of September, RVBH will work to share information to people affected by suicide. Their goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
“It is time to end the stigma surrounding mental health, and RiverValley is dedicated to doing just that by being ambassadors of hope and ensuring everyone has the resources available to receive the help they need,” said RVBH President and CEO Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta.
Figueroa-Peralta said while Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to address the topic of suicide, it is also important to focus on prevention year-round.
RVBH not only offers 24/7 crisis and intervention services to those experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis, but has also implemented the Zero Suicide model.
“Zero Suicide is a transformational framework for health and behavioral health care systems,” according to a release from RVBH. “The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health and behavioral health systems are preventable. Zero Suicide takes a system-wide approach to improve outcomes and close gaps. For health and behavioral health care systems, Zero Suicide represents a commitment to patient safety and a culture of support for care providers.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call, text, or chat the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 to be connected with trained crisis line specialists who are available 24/7 to listen, understand, provide support, and connect clients to resources, if necessary.
Published on September 1, 2022