In concurrence with National Suicide Prevention Awareness, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
In 2022, more than 49,000 people died by suicide in the United States, with one suicide occurring every 11 minutes. According to national data, suicide was the second leading cause of death among children, ages 10-14 and adults, ages 25-34. Historically, in Deschutes County, three individuals die by suicide each month.
“One death by suicide is too many, but early recognition of warning signs and early intervention can save lives,” said Prevention and Health Promotion Program Manager, Jessica Jacks. “That’s why County Public Health, in collaboration with the Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance (COSPA), is coordinating several activities throughout September to build awareness and work toward preventing suicide attempts and deaths in our community.”
The public is invited to attend one or more of the planned activities to support suicide survivors, learn about community resources and mental wellness, and find out how to help themself or support someone else who may be struggling.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month activities include:
● American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of Darkness Walk
Saturday, Sept. 7, at Alpenglow Park, 61049 SE 15th St. in Bend.
Check in at 11 a.m., the walk starts at 11:45 a.m.
**English language event. Accommodations available upon advance request.
Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and supported by COSPA, the Out of the Darkness Walk is meant to give people the courage to open up about their own connections to suicide and help lower the stigma that is connected to mental health. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those we’ve lost. Register at this link.
● Candlelight Vigil
Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Bend-La Pine Schools Education Center, 520 NW Wall St. in Bend, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the front lawn.
**English language event. Accommodations available upon advance request.
This event is for anyone that has lost a loved one to suicide. The Vigil includes music, a candle lighting ceremony, and community-building activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to light a candle to honor their loved one at sunset. **We respectfully ask that the media not attend this event to respect the privacy of participants.**
● Community Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Presentation
Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Eastside Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Rd. in Bend,
5:30 p.m.
**English language event. Accommodations available upon advance request.
In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, please join COSPA for a community event providing education and resources about suicide prevention, along with the important need to help lower a loved one’s access to lethal means in a time of crisis.
● Esperanza, Ayuda y Sanación
Friday, Sept. 27, at the Latino Community Association Community Room, 2680 NE Twin Knolls Dr., #110, Bend or virtually via zoom, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
**Spanish language event. Accommodations available upon advance request.
This Spanish language presentation from Oregon Healing Collective is on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Promotion. The presentation titled Hope, Help & Heal covers how connectedness and identity within the community can support mental health.
Visit preventsuicideco.org for more information and the link to the virtual presentation.
**Sign and other language interpreter service, assistive listening devices, materials in alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, language translations or any other accommodations are available upon advance request at no cost. Please contact the event organizer no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting at bethany.kuschel@deschutes.org, 541-213-5721. Providing at least 2 days’ notice prior to the event will help ensure availability.
If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is a phone call or click away:
- Deschutes County Stabilization Center: 63311 NE Jamison St. in Bend
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (text or call)
- Español: Llame 988 or envia “AYUDA” al 988
- Veterans: Call 988 then press 1, or text 838225
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Dial 711 then 988 or text 988
- LGBTQ+: Call 988 and then press 3
- Central Oregon Suicide Prevention Alliance’s Resource page: preventsuicideco.org
- If you are 21 or younger and want support for any problem, big or small, text teen2teen to 839863 or call YouthLine at 1-877-968-8491.
Deschutes County Health Services encourages our media partners to follow practices for safe reporting on suicide, which are available online.
For more information, please contact Caroline Suiter, Deschutes County Health Services, at 541-322-7420.
