Conference to shed light on issue of suicide, need for prevention

The numbers are telling. More than 40,000 people a year die from suicide in the United States.

It's not just a national problem; it's a local issue too, says Rick Strait, a treatment manager and therapist with the Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau.

Over a 10-year period ending in 2013, suicides accounted for 98 deaths in Cape Girardeau County, Strait said Wednesday. Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton has said 17 deaths were self-inflicted in Cape Girardeau County in 2014, with another possible suicide.

Statewide, more than 9,000 people took their own lives during the same 10-year period. The total includes nearly 1,000 suicides in Southeast Missouri, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Scott County, 65 people intentionally killed themselves. Perry County recorded 29 such deaths, and Bollinger County had 21.

Strait said the actual numbers probably are higher because some deaths are not reported as suicides. For example, a single-vehicle fatality may be a suicide, even though it would be almost impossible to prove, he said.

"Some drug overdoses could be potential suicides," he said.

The issue of suicide involves more than those who die. It includes attempted suicides, which is hard to gauge, Strait said.

There is no reliable data on how many people a year attempt suicide, he said.

According to the CDC, suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the United States for people age 10 to 34 and the fourth-leading cause of death for those age 35 to 54.

Suicide is a growing problem nationally and in Missouri, Strait said.

According to the Missouri Association of Suicidology, Missouri had a suicide rate of 15.9 per 100,000 people in 2012, ranking the state 18th in the nation and higher than the national rate of 13 suicides per 100,000 population.

Nationwide and statewide, suicides annually account for more deaths than homicides, Strait said.

Strait is a key organizer of the Community Counseling Center's third annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Conference, which will be July 28.

The Community Counseling Center Foundation, in association with Southeast Missouri State University, will host the conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium on the university campus. Admission is free.

Nationally known speakers Kevin Berthia and Josh Rivedal will be featured. Breakout sessions will focus on topics of interest to the general public, mental health professionals, business professionals, veterans, faith-based leaders, public safety officers, students, educators and anyone who has been touched by suicide and needs help, Strait said.

Berthia suffered from deep depression that caused him to consider jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Berthia has said he "felt like a failure."

Since overcoming his suicidal thoughts, Berthia has become a suicide-prevention advocate.

Rivedal is an author, actor, playwright and public speaker who has focused on suicide prevention and mental-health awareness.

For Strait, the issue of suicide is more than a professional matter. Strait was a 19-year-old U.S. Marine in 1993 when he tried to kill himself.

Strait said he was depressed over the death of his younger brother, who died in a traffic crash at the age of 17.

Strait said at the time he didn't see any reason to live.

"I thought I was doing my family a favor," he added.

After his suicide attempt, Strait said he continued to struggle with depression for years.

But in recent years, Strait said he has come to terms with his life by talking about his struggles.

As for the annual conference, Strait said the goal is to create greater community awareness about suicide and prevention efforts. Often just reaching out to someone in need can help prevent a suicide, he said. "Interventions do matter," he said.

People who are contemplating suicide "want to be heard. They need to know that someone cares about them," Strait said.

Schools may not want to talk about the issue, but about 11 percent of high-school students on average have contemplated suicide, he said.

The conference was held in September for the past two years. This year, the conference is scheduled for July in an effort to make it more convenient for educators and students to attend, Strait said.

The conference has drawn about 300 people each of the first two years. Strait said he hopes as many as 400 people will attend this year's event.

Registration is required and can be made online at semosp16.eventbrite.com or by calling (573) 332-6183. Lunch will be provided.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

402 S. Silver Springs Rd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Suicide warning signs

Talks about:

• Being a burden to others
• Feeling trapped
• Experiencing unbearable pain
• Having no reason to live
• Killing themselves

Behavior changes:

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Looking for a way to kill themselves
• Acting recklessly
• Withdrawing from activities
• Isolating from family and friends
• Sleeping too much

Moods:

• Depression
• Loss of interest
• Rage
• Irritability
• Humiliation
• Anxiety

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention