(Atlantic) Kacey Peterson, Senior Life Solutions Program Therapist, says suicide is not wanting to die. It is about not wanting to live. Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions team organized a community walk supporting National Suicide Prevention Month last evening at Atlantic City Park. The objective of the evening was to raise awareness about signs indicating suicidal thoughts or potential suicide attempts, enabling friends, family, and loved ones to intervene and help prevent suicide.
Peterson says the primary goal of the evening was to break down the stigma of suicide because it is uncomfortable to talk about and make people feel more at ease about having this conversation with someone who may be at risk.
Peterson says in 2022, the suicide rate among males was approximately four times higher than the rate for females. Males made up 50 percent of the population and nearly 80 percent of suicides. Peterson says the farming profession is the fastest-growing profession at risk for suicides.
Peterson says in 2022, the age group 85 years of age and older had the highest rate of suicide, and the age group 75-84 years of age was next.
The warning signs of suicide are changing behavior, for example, making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, taking dangerous risks, extreme mood swings, eating or sleeping less, and using drugs or alcohol more frequently.
There are action steps to help someone having thoughts of suicide. For instance, Ask, listen without judgment, acknowledge their true feelings, help that person connect with the suicide and crisis hotline, and follow up, stay in touch to see how they are doing.
If you are in crisis or have troubling or suicidal thoughts, you can call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Healthy Cass County and Cass County Iowa State University Extension co-host the walk. For further information about the walk, call 712-250-8100.
