CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX) – Clermont County has teamed up with other organizations to launch an initiative to prevent suicide and provide support for people experiencing mental health crises.
The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board and the Suicide Prevention Coalition have partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to place supportive signs in state parks throughout Clermont County.
It's an effort aimed at spreading the message that “you are not alone” and making resources more accessible across the county.
The signs include phone numbers for the Clermont and Brown County Crisis Line, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -988 and the National Veterans Crisis Line.
“Here in Clermont County, we haven't seen an increase in suicides over the last two years, but we are noticing an increase in people finding isolated places when they are thinking about suicide or actually attempting suicide,” said Marcy Keith, president of the Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
The signs will be installed in East Fork State Park and Stone Lick State Park, as well as on land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Keith says this isn't just about suicide prevention, but also mental health safety.
“When it comes to mental health, we know our country is in a crisis, and any resources we can give to people to prevent the worst outcome, which is loss of life, is the greatest gift and the greatest service we can give as a community,” Keith said.
She says it's important for local residents and organizations to work together to identify problems and work to find solutions.
“It's something tangible. People are going to see it. And we're hoping that the next county, or the next 87 counties, think, 'Oh, we can do this and prevent something, get resources and crisis information to people in need.' And I think that's the most important issue. And the more visible something is, the less of a stigma it will have.”
The committee will recognize the effort, along with local and state partners, on Sept. 10, National Suicide Prevention Month.
Officials say people can call 513-528-SAVE or 988 for 24/7 assistance.
These resources connect callers to certified crisis centers near their location.
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