Missouri looks to combat suicide

Missouri mental health officials don't want the issue of suicide to get the silent treatment, not when its the 11th leading cause of death in the state.

On average, more than 700 Missourians die annually from suicide, said Dr. Joe Parks, medical director for the Missouri Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City. Another 4,000 receive emergency care after attempting to take their lives.

In Cape Girardeau County, 29 people died from suicide from 1998 through 2002, he said.

Parks hopes a new statewide plan will encourage police, school counselors, mental health providers and others to do more to prevent suicides and suicide attempts by paying closer attention to warning signs. Such signs include mental disorders, alcohol abuse, aggressive tendencies, history of trauma or abuse, major physical illnesses, previous suicide attempts and family history of suicide.

According to the plan, there is "a growing body of evidence" that suicide is preventable and should be addressed as a public health issue.

State legislation mandated development of the plan in response to a federal initiative.

A draft of the state plan is being unveiled to police, counselors, probation officers and others at a dozen town hall meetings around the state.

A town hall meeting will be held at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau on Aug. 10. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. Meetings also are scheduled Aug. 9 in Sikeston and Poplar Bluff, and Aug. 20 in Perryville.

The draft plan suggests Missouri needs to improve access and availability of services that encourage early detection and promote intervention in cases where people display suicidal behavior.

Much of the plan centers on implementing a statewide public awareness program regarding available treatment services, offering training and education programs for providers of social services and establishing a state commission to further promote the suicide reduction and prevention effort.

Finalizing plansThere's no price tag attached to the plan so far, Parks said. A 10-member committee, which drew up the draft plan, will finalize the plan after the final town hall meeting is held in Kansas City on Sept. 2.

Final recommendations must be submitted to the legislature by Dec. 31, Parks said.

Parks said too often social service and mental health providers, police officers, school counselors and the general public are reluctant to ask someone if he or she is considering suicide.

"People aren't really comfortable asking the questions. It is hard to get that last sentence out," he said.

"There is a myth out there that if you ask them, they may do it," Parks said.

"Suicide in many ways is a disease of isolation. People who kill themselves feel like nobody can understand how bad they feel."

"Just asking the question is another way of reconnecting with a person," he said.

Southeast's department of criminal justice and sociology helped organize the local town hall meeting, along with the region's probation and parole office.

Dr. John Wade, chairman of the criminal justice and sociology department, said it's important for people to reach out to others who are exhibiting suicidal behavior.

"There are very few suicides that come out of the blue," he said.

Wade estimated as many as 100 people may attend the Aug. 10 meeting.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

Want to go?

What: Town hall meetings on Missouri's suicide prevention plan.

When and where: Aug. 9 -- 9 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff, 2 p.m. at the Bootheel Counseling Service in Sikeston; Aug. 10 -- 9 a.m. in Glenn Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University Dempster Hall; Aug. 20 -- 2 p.m. at the Perry County Health Department in Perryville.

For more info: Contact John Wade at 651-2541 or Steve Unterreiner at 290-5820.