SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A concerning trend, as nearly a dozen people have died by suicide in Greene County this year. That number could rise with other deaths still under investigation.
“Talking with someone about suicide actually is a way to open that conversation, open that door to make sure that person knows you care about them,” said Missouri Department of Health crisis service coordinator Casey Muckler.
She says suicide continues to plague the state. In Greene County, there have been at least 9 so far this year, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Casey says there are signs to look out for when someone is struggling, and it often starts with a behavior change, like mood swings, lack of basic hygiene, and tendencies to lash out, even in children.
“We always encourage folks, if you are thinking about suicide, if you are struggling with mental health, substance use, suicide, or if you’re just having a bad day and you need to talk to somebody, 988 is the place for you,” explained Muckler.
She says dialing 988 connects the caller with teams from the Missouri Suicide Prevention Network.
“We really structured our behavioral crisis system of care to be a no-wrong-door approach for folks. Meaning at whatever point of our behavioral health system they get in touch with us, we get them to the right place for them,” she said.
There’s also an online playbook updated every year by mental health experts.
“It is a guide that focuses on suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and post-intervention strategies that school and school communities can follow to really help support students who might be in crisis or teachers, or school staff, or really any community member,” said Muckler.
She says local and state agencies will continue to team up and fight the stigma of suicide.
“The hope is that we can prevent as many suicides as possible. We will continue working towards that goal as long as we have all the resources that we have here in Missouri,” she said.
Time is important when dealing with a mental health crisis. Experts say to call 911 if it’s a life-threatening emergency. But if there’s time to talk, dialing 988 will open the door to an abundance of resources.
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