Celebrity suicides have unfortunately been the topic of many news stories this week following the death of fashion designer Kate Spade, and word traveling chef Anthony Bourdain.

But, as we know, far more people die every day by suicide.

Suicide is one of those topics that can be difficult to talk about, and even harder to predict if you don’t the signs.

“Let me begin by saying I would not be here in my position had I not lost my own daughter four years ago to suicide,” Barney Lejeune, Executive Director of Jacob Crouch Suicide Prevention Services says.

Aside from offering support for families who have lost someone to suicide, their main goal is to teach the warning signs of suicide.

“Maybe acting recklessly, giving their possessions way, getting their life matters in order, maybe just talking about suicide. You’ve got to ask that question, are you thinking about suicide?” Lejeune says.

Jacob Crouch Suicide Prevention Services also offer advice on what to do once someone exhibits this signs.

“Convince them that help is available, help does work, there is hope and to get them the help they need,” Lejeune explains

That’s where facilities like Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems comes in.

“We’re like the emergency room for mental health.”

Julie Galloway, LPC is a clinical counselor at Vermilion.

She says when suicidal patients seek treatment, the staff will normalize feelings of sadness, because the truth is, we all feel sad at times.

“Everybody has feelings, everybody feels sad, feels anger, feels frustration, they feel. We encourage feelings! It’s what you do with those feelings were the struggle is” Galloway explains.

According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2016 about 45,000 people died because of suicide.

Suicidal deaths have risen more than 30% since the turn of the century.

If someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255. 

More information can be found at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org