September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month |
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Everyone Has a Role in Preventing Suicides |
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is a topic that is stigmatized and often not discussed openly with others—even with those we care about.
When someone you know has suicidal ideations, it can be scary, uncomfortable and concerning. The purpose of this month is to inform and engage professionals and the public about suicide prevention and the warning signs of suicide. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. They should not be considered normal and may indicate a more serious issue.
Signs and Symptoms
While some people talk openly about thoughts of suicide, others may keep their feelings secret. To help someone you know who might be struggling, here are signs to watch out for:
- Extreme mood swings.
- Has difficulty controlling emotions.
- Feelings of fear, worry, guilt or shame.
- Feelings of hopelessness, being trapped or are out of options to handle their situation.
- Experiences severe mental and/or physical anguish.
- Says they have no reason to live. Talks about wanting to kill themselves.
- Talks about being a burden to others.
- Sleeps too little or too much.
- Sudden changes in appearance, such as losing or gaining weight and change in hygiene.
- Limits time with loved ones.
- Increased alcohol consumption or drug use.
- Does things that may be dangerous and doesn't think about what might happen.
- Buys a weapon.
This is not a comprehensive list but a way to gauge any situation that you may be concerned about. Thinking about suicide does not mean, necessarily, they will go through with it. It does not mean that they are "going crazy." It’s often a sign of wanting help and there are ways to be supportive.
How Can You Help?
Suicidal behaviors are a psychological emergency, so start by asking the person if they want to kill themselves and if they have a plan and the means to complete that plan. Talking about it helps to figure out how to best support them and what type of help is needed. If a person discloses a plan and has the means to complete that plan, professional intervention should be taken immediately. Call 911 with the name and location of the individual and indicate that they need a wellness check.
Other ways to help someone who is talking about suicide:
- Encourage them to make connections with other people, particularly friends, family or other loved ones.
- Recommend that they get professional help for any mental health concerns, like depression or anxiety, they may be experiencing.
- Ensure they have crisis hotline numbers and tell them to call or text when they need immediate help.
- Check in with them often and really listen.
Additionally, you can take advantage of mental health first aid and QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.) trainings. You can work with local coalitions to help raise awareness to ensure your family and friends have access and understanding of suicide prevention resources. (See below.) It also can be as simple as reaching out to someone you know who is lonely or isolated just to talk about their day.
It’s scary when someone we know says they want to die, but suicide is preventable. It’s up to each one of us because everyone has a role they can play to help create healthy and strong individuals, families and communities.
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24/7 Suicide Prevention Resources |
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- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 800-273-TALK (8255); Option 1 for veterans.
- Ohio Crisis Text Line | Text 4HOPE to 741 741.
- Ohio CareLine | 800-720-9616.
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It’s Back: Recreational Marijuana Petition Headed to Legislature, Next Year’s Ballot |
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Gene Pierce, president of Pierce Communications, prevention advocate and former Prevention Action Alliance Board of Directors member, shares his thoughts on the recent recreational marijuana legalization efforts.
A new petition to legalize recreational marijuana has been approved for public circulation, a development that should worry Ohio drug policy leaders.
The Petition: The proposal would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to purchase, possess and grow up to 12 marijuana plants per household and existing Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries to sell marijuana to adults.
The Process: If proponents collect 132,887 signatures from Ohio registered voters, the proposal would be presented to the General Assembly. If it fails to be enacted within four months, petitioners may then collect 132,887 more signatures to put it on the ballot, which could be as early as the primary election on May 3, 2022.
The Rhetoric: Though proponents’ mantra is seductive, Ohioans should not be fooled.
- “Marijuana should be treated like alcohol”: Marijuana is NOT like alcohol in the potency of its impact on the human body, its "gateway’" properties for increased addictive behavior and its almost unlimited accessibility.
- “Legalization will generate millions in new tax revenues”: Ballot issue proponents regularly overestimate the benefits and underestimate the costs of their ideas. On the other hand, one economic reality does not fail: “There is no free lunch.” As those of us in the prevention, education and treatment fields know, new burdens will be laid on the backs of children, parents, spouses and employers. The predatory investors behind this campaign, however, will make millions and billions at our expense.
The Timing: The issue is expected to end up on the 2022 ballot, which is just around the corner. PAA and ADAPAO already have organized a task force to develop and implement a grassroots education campaign.
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Marijuana Task Force Begins Work on Statewide Education Campaign |
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Prevention Action Alliance and ADAPAO have joined together to create a task force to address both state and federal efforts to legalize all forms of marijuana. The purpose of the task force is to create advocacy and communication tools that prevention professionals and other stakeholders can use in their local communities. This campaign will be similar to the efforts to defeat the 2015 marijuana legalization ballot issue that both organizations collaborated on with prevention stakeholders across the state.
The task force has met to identify key concerns and to begin the development of a plan for systems and sector education on the issue. The next steps are the development of work groups to create needed resources.
In Ohio, HB 382, a bill to legalize marijuana for "recreational" use was introduced in early August. An effort to pass marijuana legalization through an initiated state statute was approved by the Ohio Ballot Board on Aug. 30, giving the “Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol” permission to gather signatures to force lawmakers to consider their proposal. Theoretically, this initiative could result in the issue being included on the November 2022 general election ballot.
On the federal level, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunities Act (CAOA) has been introduced in the Senate.
How Can You Help?
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Q&A: Get to Know Our Board |
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PAA Welcomes New Directors |
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Wood County resident Kyle Clark is the prevention education director of the Wood County Educational Service Center. As an education professional, Kyle has demonstrated many successful leadership skills developing and implementing educational and prevention programs and services. He is a member of ADAPAO (Alcohol, Drug Addiction Prevention Association of Ohio), CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America) and Prevention Action Alliance’s SPCA (State Prevention Coalition Association). Additionally, he is a member of the Ohio School Boards Association and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Kyle holds an MS in Educational Administration and Supervision and a BS in Education from Bowling Green State University.
Q: Why are you interested in the association and why did you decide to join our board of directors?
A: PAA advocates for the healthy development of our youth, and the invitation to help continue moving PAA's mission and vision forward.
Q: Tell how you got involved with Prevention Action Alliance, and what was your first impression of the organization?
A: Wood County Educational Center was a member of PAA when I first came to work. I have always been impressed with the leadership of PAA and the quality work they do in providing accurate information to the agencies, as well as representing our needs when educating our state legislators.
Q: What is the greatest challenge and/or opportunity currently facing prevention organizations in our state, and how would you like PAA to assist them?
A: Pandemic Resiliency. This means to me that we need to continue to educate on the dangerous effects of substance abuse from the vaping of any substance, alcohol, marijuana (including the current issue of recreational legalization), and the social-emotional wellness of every individual. I would like PAA to continue providing accurate information to local agencies in educating youth as they have been. Also, PAA should continue to educate and advocate for the healthy development of our youth by helping to develop good state policies and state legislative actions.
Q: What experience do you have that is related to PAA's mission?
A: I have been a successful classroom teacher, school principal, school superintendent, and county-wide prevention director for the past 47 years. I know and understand the need to provide our youth with more than academic instruction. The need to include time for social and emotional development, safety and mental health wellness is key in the overall development of any individual.
Q: What would some be surprised to learn about you?
A: I enjoy making wood furniture.
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Dalon K. Myricks resides in Westerville in Franklin County. He is a retired State of Ohio employee, serving as CFO and Deputy Director of Fiscal Services for the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Dalon holds a BA in Business Administration from Wittenberg University. He is an active volunteer in the greater Westerville and Gahanna school districts, working to improve educational opportunities for today’s youth. He has served as a football official with the Ohio High School Athletic Association since 2006.
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Q: Who got you interested in working with Prevention Action Alliance as a board member, and what would you like to gain from your service?
A: Claudia Khourey-Bowers, who is the secretary-treasurer of PAA's board, asked me to volunteer. I find that giving time and service to a cause provides me a challenge.
Q: What would you say is the greatest challenge PAA currently faces?
A: Having a well-diversified funding stream to support the various needs of the organization.
Q: What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I was named after Kent State University.
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Fritz Joins PAA Team as Advocacy Coordinator |
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Shayna Fritz brings a passion to serve and a background in policy to her new role as PAA's new advocacy and public policy coordinator. In this capacity, she will work directly with prevention specialists, community coalitions and other prevention stakeholders to build and empower advocacy efforts, as well as keep PAA’s statewide partners informed on the latest happenings within state and federal governments.
After transferring to Ohio State University, Shayna became active in Ohio’s political sphere. In addition to serving several internships on various political campaigns, she has worked as an aide in both Ohio and Tennessee’s general assemblies. With this position, she is able to combine politics and a personal interest in drug prevention.
Hailing from the Chicago area, Shayna is a die-hard Cubs and Blackhawks fan. If she’s not watching Chicago sports, she’s probably cheering on the Buckeyes. When looking to wind down, you can find Shayna reading, drawing or crafting.
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Mental Health Resources Available for Ohio Military Service Members, Veterans |
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Gov. Mike DeWine and state leaders recently discussed programs that support the mental health of military service members and veterans from all eras who may be affected by recent events in Afghanistan.
It's important they talk with friends and families, connect with a peer-to-peer network or access mental health services through the following resources:
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To Change The Game For Youth Gambling
When we think of gambling, we often think it’s an adults-only issue. However, more than one in 10 youth admit having gambled money or personal items. Youth gambling often starts with playing seemingly harmless games that subtly develop into problematic behavior. Find out how to talk to children about the dangers of gambling. Read This Know! Tip.
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Save by Shopping the PAA Store
Do you need to spend down money by Sept. 30?
The PAA Store has you covered. Our public health awareness campaigns and stand-alone products address:
If you are looking to recognize your staff or volunteers for playing their role in prevention, check out our new Prevention Gift Line with quality items to fit every budget. Use the coupon code Prevent15 to take 15% off of all purchases made by Sept. 30. Shop today and stretch your spend-down dollars!
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Prescription Drugs & You Product Sale
Check out PAA’s Prescription Drugs & You™ Campaign to strengthen your community’s prescription disposal efforts by providing ready made resources promoting medicine safety.
PAA offers a variety of booklets, flyers, and fact cards which are ideal to distribute at your local drug take back event. Use the code SafeRx20 for an early bird special of 20% off all Prescription Drugs & You print materials for orders placed before Sept. 30.
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Help Remember Those Lost to Suicide |
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation and Family Advocates for Suicide Prevention are helping to gather pictures of people who have died by suicide, along with a brief description of the person.
An all-female motorcycle club is holding a motorcycle ride Sunday, Sept. 19 from Dayton to Indian Lake to raise awareness and crush stigma around suicide and mental health. Participants would like to carry along photos and stories of loved ones who died by suicide.
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Mark Your Calendars
- September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
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