Suicide is a difficult and sobering topic. Data from the 2023 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey shows that in Thurston County, 17% of 10th graders seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, 12% of 10th graders made a plan in the past year about how they would attempt suicide, and 8% of 10th graders attempted to end their life in the past year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was one suicide death in the United States every 11 minutes in 2022. Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is actively working on suicide prevention and growing awareness for everyone.
On September 10, 2024, at 3:45 p.m. September will officially be proclaimed National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Thurston County by the Board of Health. Members of the public can watch the proclamation live on the County’s YouTube channel or attend in-person to show support for this cause, being hosted at The Atrium, Board Room 110, located at 3000 Pacific Avenue, Olympia.
“We are learning about the impacts of COVID. It’s really impacting our younger generations,” says Elizabeth Hawkins, maternal child health education and outreach specialist. “There is no single cause for suicide,” she says. It’s important to remember that talking about suicide does not increase the risk of suicide. Talking about suicide can help reduce anxiety, open lines of communication, connect people to helpful resources, and lessen the risk of impulsive acts. Ignoring it does not make it go away.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services’ dedicated education and outreach specialists, Elizabeth Hawkins (Maternal Child Health, Education & Outreach Specialist) and Raymona Smiedala (Mental Health, Education & Outreach Specialist), work diligently to provide a wide range of free resources to anyone in the county that is interested. Whether it’s through community events, online support, or one-on-one assistance, they are committed to making valuable mental health and suicide prevention information accessible to all.
QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer Training for Suicide Prevention
There is a new training about suicide prevention through Thurston County Public Health & Social Services. The focus is on the risk and protective factors, myths of suicide and warning signs. The 90-minutes workshop, hosted by Elizabeth Hawkins, grow yours or your organization’s suicide prevention skills and provides tools to be able to respond effectively when situations arise. This training is called Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR), like CPR, QPR provides emergency response tactics to help someone in crisis and can save lives! It is available both in-person or online, upon request. This valuable resource is helpful for schools, churches, youth centers, parents, and anyone else who may interact with youth regularly.
The County notes that data shows that native communities have the highest rates of suicide of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Therefore, there is a need for culturally sensitive materials. This also applies to those within the LGBTQAI and BIPOC communities. New materials and resources are being created to better serve everyone.
Warning Signs for Suicide
- Current talk of suicide or making a plan.
- Signs of depression, such as moodiness, hopelessness, and withdrawal.
- Strong wish to die or preoccupation with death.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Increased alcohol and/or drug use.
- Hinting at not being around in the future or saying goodbye.
How to Help
- L – look for signs
- E – empathize and listen
- A – ask directly if they are considering suicide
- R – remove the dangers
- N – next steps, together call 988 for help and resources
More Thurston County Resources
The County has a variety of downloadable brochures on their Mental Health Resources & Suicide Prevention webpage:
- My Suicide Prevention Safety Plan
- General Mental Health Brochure
- General Youth Mental Health Brochure
- Youth LGBTOAI Mental Health Brochure
- Suicide Prevention Flyers
- Sunshine Flyer: (It’s sound advice for anyone: Sleep, Understand, Nutrition, Support, Humor, Indulge, Nurture, Exercise.)
- Self-Care Wheel
Washington Warm Line
The Washington Warm Line is a peer support helpline for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. All calls are confidential. All calls are answered by volunteers who are both specially trained and who have lived their own experiences with mental health challenges. They provide information, emotional support, and comfort. Out-of-state calls are not accepted.
206.933.7001
877.500.9276
Warm Line website
Bereavement and Parenting and Postpartum Support Groups
Parenting is difficult. The county hosts various support groups. One is for people dealing with the loss of a child and the another is for new parents working through the challenges of parenting and postpartum. Two facilitators lead each of these groups. There is no cost to participants. “We follow a structured program,” explains Elizabeth.
The Bereavement Support Group welcomes anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child loss. It meets the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Public Health & Social Services. Grief is a non-linear process that unfolds in its own way.
The Parenting & Postpartum Support Group joins parents navigating the highs and lows of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. It meets the first and third Thursday of each month from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Public Health & Social Services. “Parenting is hard. It’s a way for parents to show up in a safe environment and not be judged,” she adds.
Thurston County is interested in the mental health of all parents. Check out their Parent Mental Health website.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text, or chat 988. The 988 Lifeline is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
90 Minutes to Change Lives
Take the QPR training yourself or do it with a friend. “This is a heavy topic,” acknowledges Elizabeth. The education will grow your awareness and give you skills that you’ll be glad you have when you need them. “Anyone can save a life,” encourages Elizabeth.
If you live in Thurston or Mason counties and are in crisis or considering suicide, call the 24-Hour Crisis Clinic Line at 360.586.2800
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