CLEVELAND — September marks National Suicide Prevention Month. In Ohio, five people die by suicide every day. One organization working to change this startling statistic is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which has a chapter in the Cleveland area.
"We look into the science and research behind suicide prevention and awareness," said Brandee Parker with AFSP's Cleveland chapter. "There are four main things we do with the funds we raise through the year, and that is research, support, advocacy and education."
Battles with her own mental health and two suicide deaths in her workplace led Parker to work to raise awareness.
"Unfortunately, we're all brought together by the same horrible problem," said Parker. "It has become a community of such tightly knit, strong individuals who become such advocates and try to break the stigma and really try to have others focus on their mental health just as much as their physical health."
On the state level, officials are working to address the suicide rate in Ohio by building out their 988 dialing code system.
"Suicide affects all people. Those who are experiencing a mental health crisis, maybe those who have a history of a mental health condition, but also those who might just today experience something that is overwhelming and need to talk to somebody," said Doug Jackson, who is the 988 Administrator with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
The line is free, confidential and available 24/7. It offers support to those going through a mental health or substance abuse crisis. To communicate with a crisis counselor, one can call, text or chat on the national 988 website.
State data shows 988 is being utilized more than 14,000 times per month on average. That is 2,000 more total calls, texts or chat interactions each month than last year.
"When somebody is in a crisis, we want them to be able to have hope," said Jackson. "We want them to be able to talk to somebody who is really a neutral party, a third party and 988 offers that in really this dark day of their life."
If you would like to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's efforts in the Cleveland area, you can participate in their Out of the Darkness Community Walk. This year's walk is scheduled for Oct. 5 at Wade Oval.
More information can be found here: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)