Learn about our approach to suicide prevention in the short video below:
Suicide Explained
Suicide is a serious public health problem that causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities worldwide. Causes of suicide are complex, stemming from a combination of factors including mental illness, substance abuse, painful losses, exposure to violence, and social isolation.
Effective Suicide Prevention Strategies
Suicide prevention efforts seek to reduce risk factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and in turn increase protective factors that help strengthen, support, and protect individuals from suicide. Ideally, these efforts address individual, relationship, community, and societal factors while promoting hope, lowering barriers to services, encouraging connectedness, and reducing stigma. The prevention of future suicides also includes supporting survivors of suicide loss.
What are the Goals of the Suicide Prevention & Support Program?
Goals of Suicide Prevention & Support include:
- Reducing the number of suicides
- Reducing stigma about mental illness and addiction
- Increasing bystander intervention
- Supporting survivors of suicide loss
Increasing utilization of warmlines, for non-crisis support, and hotlines for crises
Want to Learn More About Our Suicide Prevention & Support Programs?
Visit our What We Do tab!
Some examples of programs include:
- Community & Family Based Programs- The annual Walk to Remember those lost to suicide is held in September and is a place to remember, connect, and heal for loss survivors and those who have
- School Based Programs- Lifelines is an evidence-based, age-appropriate curriculum that helps students identify the signs of suicidal ideation or crisis and get the help of a trusted adult
- Youth Development- Sources of Strength is a positive youth-led approach to build resiliency in individuals and a school community
- Prevention Trainings- Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) is like CPR. It takes 90 minutes to train bystanders how to respond to a suicidal crisis.
- Prevention Coalitions- The Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition has over 100 active members who serve on a variety of committees and task forces towards the goal of not one more suicide in Butler County
- Initiatives & Campaigns- Gun lock distribution through partnerships like the Veterans Association and first responders to address the high rates of suicide deaths by gunshot in these vulnerable populations. Gun locks help add time between a crisis moment and access to lethal means.
How To Help Someone Who Is Suicidal:
If you believe someone you know may be thinking about suicide, call 988 if the danger for self-harm seems imminent. Stay with and listen to the person until you can get further help, and call (or text) the Butler County Crisis Helpline at 1-844-4-CRISIS to follow their guidance or connect someone in need 24/7/365.
