Local resources for suicide prevention
- Published: June 15, 2018
Recent suicides in Yellow Springs and beyond have galvanized those working in and around the village to prevent suicide.
In interviews this week, representatives from several local groups emphasized that help is available for those dealing with a mental illness or thoughts of harming themselves, and also for survivors of suicide. They encouraged people to reach out to ask someone if they might be thinking of killing themselves — a question that could save a life. And they emphasized more openness to discussing suicide, which can carry a stigma that keeps people from seeking support.
Among those organizations working in the area are the National Alliance for Mental Illness of Clark, Greene and Madison counties, the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison county, TCN Behavioral Health, a mental health clinic with offices in Xenia, Fairborn and Kettering, and the Greene County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Last week the Centers for Disease Control released a new report which revealed that suicides rose nationally by 25 percent between 1999 and 2016. In Ohio, they rose even more sharply, at 36 percent over that time period. Although Greene County had been below the state’s average suicide rate, in recent years its suicide rate has climbed. Last year 25 residents of the county took their own life.
Since Dec. 31, 2017, at least three people who lived in or just outside of the village have killed themselves, according to the Greene County Coroner this week, which would make the town’s rate higher any surrounding community. According to one study, each suicide directly impacts 147 people, and six people experience a major disruption.
Read the June 14 issue of the News for the full story.
FOR THOSE IN CRISIS
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Ohio Crisis Text line: Text “4hope” to 741741 (Text “NAMI” to 741741 outside of Ohio)
- TCN Behavioral Health (Xenia) 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 937-376-8701
- Yellow Springs Police Department: 767-7206 (non-emergency), 911 (emergency)
FOR THOSE WHO NEED HELP
- Florence Randolph, Community Outreach Specialist, Yellow Springs Police Department, 937-767-3716, frandolph@vil.yellowsprings.
oh.us - TCN Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic for Dual Assessments (Substance use and mental health), appointments also available:
- Xenia, at 452 West Market St. — Monday, Wednesday, check-in 8:30 am., plan to stay until noon; Tuesday, Thursday, check-in at 9 a.m., plan to stay until 1:15 p.m.
- Fairborn, at 600 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd. — Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, check-in at 8:30 a.m., plan to stay until noon.
- The Greene CATS Yellow line can take people to either office for appointments.
- NAMI Clark, Greene and Madison Counties’ Lighthouse: A drop-in center for those living with a mental illness, 550-554 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd. in Fairborn. Transportation available for Greene County residents on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 873-2220 to schedule a ride. Visit http://www.namicgm.org for more information.
VILLAGE SUPPORT GROUPS
- NAMI Connection Recovery support group for those living with mental illness: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, Bryan Center art room, second floor, 6:30—8 p.m.
- NAMI Family Support Group for those who have a love one with a mental illness: Second Thursday of each month, Bryan Center art room, second floor, 7–8:30 p.m.
- Suicide Survivor’s Group: Every Thursday, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 314 Xenia Ave.
OTHER MEETINGS
- The Greene County Suicide Prevention Coalition meets the third Wednesday of each month at TCN Behavioral Health in Xenia. Meetings are from 8:30—10 a.m. Anyone who is interested in suicide prevention is welcome.
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