COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Colusa County Behavioral Health marked World Suicide Prevention Week with a gathering on the courthouse lawn on Sept. 10 as a poignant reminder to open conversations about mental health issues often shrouded in silence and misunderstanding.
Clinical Program Coordinator Jeanie Armstrong said suicide prevention means many things, including promoting resources for those in crisis, sharing information about the National Crisis and Suicide Lifeline (988), and recognizing the warning signs that someone you know may be struggling.
“It could be all of these things,” Armstrong said. “To me, it means caring – caring about others and asking how they are doing and supporting someone in their time of need.”
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Sept. 8-14 at National Suicide Prevention Week prior to the ceremony by recognizing that suicide is a public health problem which occurs among all age groups, across socioeconomic status, and all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
“Suicide is preventable, and it is appropriate for a week to be set aside each year to dedicate our efforts in raising awareness about suicide and addressing the mental health needs of Colusa County seniors, adults, youth, children, and families, which is fundamental to a health community,” said Board Chair Gary Evans.
Armstong said in 2022, 49,000 people ended their life by suicide – approximately one every 11 minutes – which was a record high.
Over the past 20 years, suicides have increased by 31% and there are more suicides per capita in small rural communities than in metropolitan areas.
“The number of people reporting suicidal ideation has also climbed,” Armstrong said. “In 2022, 13.2 million adults reported having serious thoughts of suicide; 3.8 million made a plan, and 1.6 attempted suicide.”
Among the highest groups to commit suicide are veterans and adults over the age of 75.
“Males make up 50% of the population, yet they make up 80% of the suicides,” Armstrong said.
Behavior Health studies show that over a 15-year period, from 2003 to 2018, three out of four people who died by committing suicide were not in treatment for mental health issues or substance abuse at the time of death, and two out of three had never in treatment.
“This is why it is important to know what the suicide warning signs are,” Armstrong said.
Clinical Program Manager Bricia Martinez, who heads the crisis team, said the warning signs of suicide are already familiar to most people: sleeping too much, an increase in alcohol use or drugs, risk-taking behavior, showing rage and anger, and having co-existing conditions such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, but she said it was equally important for people to know the statistics and warning signs specific to ages, particularly youth – the fastest growing segment of the population to contemplate or commit suicide.
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults, ages 10 to 24,” Martinez said. “And unfortunately, suicide rates in this age group have increased tremendously, 52.2% from 2000 to 2021.”
Martinez said unlike adults, girls are more likely than boys to take their own life; about 30% have thoughts of suicide, 24% “make a plan” for suicide; and 13% have attempted suicide. LGBTQ youth are also high risk, with 26% of LGBTQ high schoolers reporting in 2021 to have attempted suicide within a 12-month period.
“Some of the warning signs to look for is someone making a plan for suicide and actually talking about it, expressing hopelessness about the future, displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress, showing worrisome behavioral ques, morphed by behavioral changes, especially withdrawing or changes in social connections,” Martinez added. “A lot of kids and adults tend to isolate themselves, stay in their rooms, and not participate in things they once liked to participate in.”
By advocating for awareness, Behavioral Health officials said they hope to encourage individuals to seek help themselves, if they are having thoughts of suicide, or provide the necessary tools for others to support those who might be struggling. In addition to highlighting the warning signs, Colusa County officials encouraged empathy and the necessity of reaching out to friends and loved ones, which can be a powerful lifeline.
Officials said that each action, whether it be sharing personal stories, participating in local events, or simply spreading the message of hope, contributes to a larger movement aimed at saving lives.
“The pain of losing a loved one to suicide is near unbearable; it is gut wrenching; it is heavy, and it can be isolating,” said Armstrong, as she choked back tears revealing the death of her nephew, who took his life in 2023 at the age of 17.
Armstrong said as she attempted to logically categorize the stages of grief, she realized that it does not help heal a broken heart.
“People make people feel better,” she said. “We are social creatures and turn to others for support and help.”