The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has declared Sept. 4 – 10 National Suicide Prevention Week. Springfield-Greene County Health is recognizing this week by providing local resources and encouraging community members to do their part to prevent suicide in their homes, social circles and workplaces.
Although suicide is still often treated as a taboo topic, it is a public health issue in many communities, including Springfield. According to the recently released Community Health Needs Assessment, every 5.5 days someone dies of suicide in the Springfield Community (Christian, Greene and Webster counties). This makes suicide the seventh leading cause of death in the Springfield Community, killing more people than diabetes, kidney disease and chronic liver disease in 2019.
The Health Department will focus on raising awareness and educating the community on this topic by focusing on the Take 5 to Save Lives action steps created by the National Council for Suicide Prevention. These steps include:
- Learning the warning signs, risk factors and protective factors.
- Knowing how to help yourself and others.
- Doing more to raise awareness, volunteering and practicing self-care.
- Talking about suicide, dispelling myths and reducing stigma.
- Sharing Take 5 to Save Lives with others.
Vital information including statistics, prevention strategies and resources will be shared on Springfield-Greene County Health’s social media channels and are available online at sgfmentalhealth.com
Those in need of mental health support for themselves or others can access a list of resources on the Health Department website at sgfmentalhealth.com. If you are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.
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Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
“Helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
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417-864-1658
227 E. Chestnut Expressway