Tuscarawas County takes steps to prevent suicide
Over the past four years, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office has reported 55 suicide deaths in the county.
Due to the increase of suicide deaths across the United States and in Tuscarawas County, the Tuscarawas County commissioners recently approved the creation of a Suicide Fatality Review Committee to help with identifying trends and patterns in hopes of preventing future suicide deaths of Tuscarawas County residents. Following Ohio Revised Code guidelines, the county commissioners appointed Tuscarawas County health commissioner Katie Seward to oversee the committee.
The Suicide Fatality Review Committee will begin meeting this July with required member representatives from the ADAMHS Board, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office, Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services, New Philadelphia City Health Department, Tuscarawas County Health Department and other representatives as needed. Committee members will work collaboratively to develop recommendations and plans to help decrease preventable suicide deaths in the county.
Over the past four years, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office has reported 55 suicide deaths in the county, and 69% of those who died by suicide in Tuscarawas County were males and 31% were females.
TCHD is partnering with the ADAMHS Board of Tuscarawas & Carroll Counties and the Empower Tusc Suicide Prevention Coalition to help implement recommendations from the Suicide Fatality Review Committee.
“Even one suicide death in Tuscarawas County is too many,” Seward said. “Working together to review and identify strategies for suicide prevention will result in earlier interventions to provide help and life-saving hope to individuals in our community who are contemplating suicide.”
“Suicide rates in Tuscarawas County are immensely troubling,” said Natalie Bollon, ADAMHS Board executive director. “Our participation with the Suicide Fatality Review Committee will help inform our work as we facilitate programs to normalize the importance of seeking help to improve mental health and prevent suicide deaths. In fact, in response to county suicide data, we are already promoting a social media campaign to encourage men to talk with their loved ones or a health professional about mental health during this May’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities.”
To learn more information about the ADAMHS Board’s current mental health campaign, call 330-364-6488 or visit www.mantherapy.org. For more information about the Suicide Fatality Review Committee or to learn how to volunteer for the Empower Tusc Suicide Prevention Coalition, call or email the Suicide Fatality Review coordinator Erica Schreckengost at 330-343-5555 ext. 1560 or EPI@tchdnow.org.