It’s not something most people like to talk about, preferring to keep it hidden, brushed under the rug with the rest of the bad stuff they don’t want to see. The sad truth is that suicide is a problem that can’t be ignored.
According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, it’s estimated that 32,000 people in the United States commit suicide each year. It’s currently the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the third leading cause in deaths of youth between 15 and 24 years of age.
It’s not just happening in larger cities, but quite often in rural areas such as ours. According to the Centers for Disease Control 2005 National Vital Statistics Reports, in 2005, 175 deaths in Maine were attributed to suicide. From 2001-2005, 42 deaths in Aroostook County were related to suicide as reported by the Maine Injury Prevention Program/Maine CDC.
Sarah McLean, of AMHC, said that depression is the leading cause of suicide attempts, affecting a person’s thoughts in such a manner that they aren’t able to see a positive outcome to a problem.
“It’s as if the depression puts a filter on the person’s thinking and distorts things,” she said. “That’s why depressed people don’t realize that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem in the same way that other people do.”
The problem can become worse if a person turns to drugs and alcohol for solace. However, those substances will only increase feelings of depression, and make the person feel even worse. McLean says that many attempts occur when a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“This doesn’t mean that everyone who is depressed or who has an alcohol or drug problem will try to kill themselves, of course. But these conditions — especially both together — increase a person’s risk for suicide,” she said.
McLean also says that because of how isolated the area is, mental health services are not always readily available. However, support is available through AMHC’s 24/7 HELPLine, and a trained emergency service specialist will meet with any individual who is considering suicide. McLean also stated that all Aroostook county hospitals are prepared to provide immediate help to persons admitted after suicide attempts or thoughts. The Northern Maine Medical Center has an inpatient psychiatric unit, and AMHC also offers an adult and children’s crisis stabilization units.
McLean says that individuals can get help in any major city in Aroostook County by calling AMHC’s Access Center at 1-800-244-6431. She says there are other agencies which can be found in the phone book or by calling 2-1-1, which is the social services information line of Maine. She also encourages those who are considering suicide to talk to their family doctor .
In an attempt to bring the issue of suicide into the light, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) put together a program called “Out of the Darkness,” which organizes community walks to raise money for research and development of educational programs.
In years past, these walks were held in Houlton, but as the previous coordinator of the walk thought it was a good idea to hold it in Presque Isle, this year’s walk will be starting at the Aroostook Centre Mall Sept. 20. Registration for the walk will be at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning an hour later.
McLean was in the walk last year, and was asked to be the coordinator for it this, it’s fourth year. She is currently busy working on getting sponsors and walkers. She said that they aren’t only looking for monetary sponsorships, but are also accepting in-kind donations of goods or services, such as refreshments for walkers. McLean is also looking for anyone who could help with safety or medical services during the walk. Among the sponsors she has already acquired are: Platinum Lifesaver Level, the Aroostook Mental Health Center; Gold Lifesaver Level, Houlton Wal-Mart.
She is also looking for donations to use as door prizes for a drawing that will be held after the walk is over. Prizes she has lined up right now include a one-hour airplane ride, gym memberships, rounds of golf and gift certificates to various businesses.
McLean says anyone, of any age is welcome to walk. She says there may be some discussion about suicide, but there won’t be anything inappropriate for younger ears. Walkers can go as individuals or can put a team together. Registration for the walk can be done online or by talking to McLean. Walkers don’t have to be registered, but by doing so it makes it easier for coordinators to track all of the information. If you want to participate, but don’t want to register, you just need to bring the money you collect with you to the walk. Walkers who raise $150 or more get a T-shirt.
“A lot of people walk in memory of someone they lost to suicide,” McLean stated.
Half of the money raised will be given to the AFSP to be used for research and development of suicide and mental health education. The other half will be held by the AFSP, but will belong to the county to be used to help further education on the subjects. It will also be used to create educational materials such as films to spread awareness.
Anyone interested in registering to walk, or learning more about the AFSP and the “Out of the Darkness” program, can log onto www.outofthedarkness.org. For more information, or to help sponsorship, or any ideas on advertising, call Sarah McLean at 498-3893, or email her at sarah_e_mclean@yahoo.com. If you or anyone you know has been dealing with thoughts of suicide you can call AMHC’s 24/7 HELPLine at 1-888-568-1112.
According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, it’s estimated that 32,000 people in the United States commit suicide each year. It’s currently the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the third leading cause in deaths of youth between 15 and 24 years of age.
It’s not just happening in larger cities, but quite often in rural areas such as ours. According to the Centers for Disease Control 2005 National Vital Statistics Reports, in 2005, 175 deaths in Maine were attributed to suicide. From 2001-2005, 42 deaths in Aroostook County were related to suicide as reported by the Maine Injury Prevention Program/Maine CDC.
Sarah McLean, of AMHC, said that depression is the leading cause of suicide attempts, affecting a person’s thoughts in such a manner that they aren’t able to see a positive outcome to a problem.
“It’s as if the depression puts a filter on the person’s thinking and distorts things,” she said. “That’s why depressed people don’t realize that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem in the same way that other people do.”
The problem can become worse if a person turns to drugs and alcohol for solace. However, those substances will only increase feelings of depression, and make the person feel even worse. McLean says that many attempts occur when a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“This doesn’t mean that everyone who is depressed or who has an alcohol or drug problem will try to kill themselves, of course. But these conditions — especially both together — increase a person’s risk for suicide,” she said.
McLean also says that because of how isolated the area is, mental health services are not always readily available. However, support is available through AMHC’s 24/7 HELPLine, and a trained emergency service specialist will meet with any individual who is considering suicide. McLean also stated that all Aroostook county hospitals are prepared to provide immediate help to persons admitted after suicide attempts or thoughts. The Northern Maine Medical Center has an inpatient psychiatric unit, and AMHC also offers an adult and children’s crisis stabilization units.
McLean says that individuals can get help in any major city in Aroostook County by calling AMHC’s Access Center at 1-800-244-6431. She says there are other agencies which can be found in the phone book or by calling 2-1-1, which is the social services information line of Maine. She also encourages those who are considering suicide to talk to their family doctor .
In an attempt to bring the issue of suicide into the light, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) put together a program called “Out of the Darkness,” which organizes community walks to raise money for research and development of educational programs.
In years past, these walks were held in Houlton, but as the previous coordinator of the walk thought it was a good idea to hold it in Presque Isle, this year’s walk will be starting at the Aroostook Centre Mall Sept. 20. Registration for the walk will be at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning an hour later.
McLean was in the walk last year, and was asked to be the coordinator for it this, it’s fourth year. She is currently busy working on getting sponsors and walkers. She said that they aren’t only looking for monetary sponsorships, but are also accepting in-kind donations of goods or services, such as refreshments for walkers. McLean is also looking for anyone who could help with safety or medical services during the walk. Among the sponsors she has already acquired are: Platinum Lifesaver Level, the Aroostook Mental Health Center; Gold Lifesaver Level, Houlton Wal-Mart.
She is also looking for donations to use as door prizes for a drawing that will be held after the walk is over. Prizes she has lined up right now include a one-hour airplane ride, gym memberships, rounds of golf and gift certificates to various businesses.
McLean says anyone, of any age is welcome to walk. She says there may be some discussion about suicide, but there won’t be anything inappropriate for younger ears. Walkers can go as individuals or can put a team together. Registration for the walk can be done online or by talking to McLean. Walkers don’t have to be registered, but by doing so it makes it easier for coordinators to track all of the information. If you want to participate, but don’t want to register, you just need to bring the money you collect with you to the walk. Walkers who raise $150 or more get a T-shirt.
“A lot of people walk in memory of someone they lost to suicide,” McLean stated.
Half of the money raised will be given to the AFSP to be used for research and development of suicide and mental health education. The other half will be held by the AFSP, but will belong to the county to be used to help further education on the subjects. It will also be used to create educational materials such as films to spread awareness.
Anyone interested in registering to walk, or learning more about the AFSP and the “Out of the Darkness” program, can log onto www.outofthedarkness.org. For more information, or to help sponsorship, or any ideas on advertising, call Sarah McLean at 498-3893, or email her at sarah_e_mclean@yahoo.com. If you or anyone you know has been dealing with thoughts of suicide you can call AMHC’s 24/7 HELPLine at 1-888-568-1112.
