BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – In 2023, the Warren County Corner reported 26 suicide deaths. That number would decrease in 2024 to 22 deaths.
The following year, in 2025, suicide deaths would increase by 31.8% with 29 reported deaths.
Kaitlyn Slaughter, manager of the LifeSkills Regional Prevention Center, said immediate action is needed to support people experiencing mental health challenges.
“Suicide’s the most preventable kind of death. I mean, because any involvement that you can do is you involving yourself and potentially helping them not go through a very disastrous act. I mean, you’re putting yourself in the line to maybe prevent them from going through something,” she said.
According to Slaughter, suicide affects people of all ages in Kentucky, not just youth. She said the highest rates occur among people 85 and older.
“They’re just out like astonished by the numbers of the age ranges that the percentages are so high. The highest average is 85 plus individuals,” Slaughter explained. “It’s just it’s shocking that the elderly population is so high. You may think, ‘Oh, there’s no reason that should be.’ That just shows you, ‘Hey, it’s not just the young people who have mental health issues. It goes all the way to the elderly population.”
The mental health institute emphasizes the importance of self care and making your mental health a priority.
To check out the LifeSkills mental health services, visit: www.lifeskills.com/
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