Every September, communities work together to keep the conversation about suicide and suicide prevention going. Sarah Ermer, Prevention Specialist at Tillamook Family Counseling Center, emphasizes that one of the main goals of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is to open a dialogue about suicide and get people talking about it. “This helps reduce some of the stigma that comes with discussing mental health and suicide,” says Sarah. “For anyone who has experienced a suicide loss or struggles themselves, it’s important to recognize they are not alone. There’s a wider community conversation happening, and the community cares.”
Understanding the Risk
The World Health Organization estimates that suicide claims more than 720,000 lives every year. In the United States, suicide is a leading cause of death and remains the second-leading cause of death among people ages 5 to 24. Oregon has the 9th highest suicide rate in the US, and the suicide rate is three times highers in agricultural communities. These numbers make this conversation uniquely important to our community.
There is a lot of uncertainty in agriculture that impacts individuals’ and families’ livelihood which can lead to high stress. Additionally, the self-reliant, hard-working culture that keeps farms running can also make people hesitant to ask for help when they’re struggling. Firearms also tend to be more accessible in agricultural communities, increasing the risk.
Start the Conversation
The myth still circulates that talking about suicide plants the idea in someone’s head and causes harm. Sarah pushes back firmly on this, urging people to speak up when they’re worried about someone they love. She says: “Even if you aren’t immediately concerned about any particular person’s mental health, there are many ways for everyday interactions to help reduce the stigma and show others that you are a supportive person to talk to. A strong guiding principle is to be aware of your words and how you speak about mental health in general. You never know when a person that you are talking to, or even someone who may overhear your conversation, may have undisclosed struggles. Words carry weight, and if we hear someone speaking judgmentally about mental health (say, labeling another person as “crazy” or gossiping about their actions), we are unlikely to go to them with troubles of our own. If you are comfortable, speak up when you hear others using stigmatizing language or sharing incorrect information. We do the best we
can with the information we have at the time. Know the facts so that you can help yourself and others provide fact-based care. Explore the NAMI website to learn more about mental health conditions and resources for support.”
This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on September 10, carries the World Helath Organization’s theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, a call to create environments where people feel safe enough to speak about their mental health. Sarah reminds us that conversation doesn’t have to start heavy. Try something lighter first, for example: “What makes you feel caredfor by your friends?” or “How do you relax when you are stressed?”
“In public health,” Sarah continues, “we refer to the ‘risk and protective factors.’ It can feel natural to want to turn our attention to the risk factors; they are, after all, the parts that cause us pain. But we also have to recognize that not every painful life circumstance is within our control. What is within our control, however, is how we show up for our friends and community. For example, I can’t control whether or not my friend loses a loved one. But what I can do is reach out, invite them to things, make space for their grief without expecting them to be okay, and ensure that their community and hobbies are there to wrap around them. And if you don’t know what to say, just say what you mean: ‘I know you are going through something hard, and I am here for you.'”
Additional Resources
Suicide prevention isn’t only about stepping in during a crisis moment. It means starting the conversation now and creating opportunities to share resources and connect. “There is an idea in the public health prevention realm that all prevention is suicide prevention,” says Sarah.
“Connecting people to resources for substance use, gambling, or domestic violence before they reach a crisis point is suicide prevention.”
● 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – A free, confidential service available by call, text, or online chat for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm, a substance use crisis, or another behavioral health emergency. Support is offered in both English and Spanish.
● AgriStress Helpline – Built specifically for people in farming, ranching, fisheries, and forestry, this line is staffed 24/7 at 833-897-2474. Calls and texts get a response within 30 seconds, with immediate intervention for anyone at imminent risk and follow-up support offered within 24 hours.
● National Alliance on Mental Illness – National Alliance on Mental Illness is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental illness.
● TFCC Links & Resources – A compiled list of local and online resources to support mental health put together by Tillamook Family Counseling Center.
● TFCC Crisis Team – TFCC provides crisis/emergency services and supports for individuals experiencing mental health crises. These services are provided by a staff of qualified and experienced clinicians. Services are available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and can be accessed by calling (503) 842-8201 or 1-800-962-2851.
Throughout September, TFCC will be sharing awareness content and connecting community members with resources through our social media. Follow us on Instagram @tillamookfamilycounseling or find Tillamook Family Counseling Center on Facebook to stay involved. This will also help you stay up to date on suiciede prevention events planned for later this fall.
This September, let’s commit to building a community where it’s safe to talk about mental health struggles. Sarah reminds us, “Just being someone who is willing to listen without judgment and being willing to talk openly and non-judgmentally about mental health can make a huge difference.”
