Local service providers took a deep dive into the topics of mental health and suicide Monday during the second of three planned community discussions.
The Garland County Suicide Prevention Coalition hosted the event Monday evening in the Roy Rowe Auditorium of the Jones School Historic Building. The first Continuum of Care Town Hall Meeting was held in May.
Panelists included Steven Boyd, director of nursing for Levi Hospital; Michael Hight, emergency department doctor for CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs; Susie Reece, Coalition chair; Tony Sisson, director of the Adult Services Division for Community Counseling Services and a licensed professional counselor; Daniel Stramp, quality improvement and education manager for LifeNet; George Weaver, director of treatment services for Quapaw House Inc.; and Officer 1st Class Joey Williams, community relations officer for the Hot Springs Police Department.
Hot Springs Police Chief Jason Stachey attended the meeting and participated in discussions.
"We were very happy with all of the people that showed up and all of the agencies that were represented," Reece said.
Attendees were able to write down questions for the panelists to address or answer during the two-hour meeting. Panelists also engaged with members of the audience in open discussions. The meeting was moderated by Susan Millerd, behavioral intervention specialist for National Park College.
Garland County experienced some of the highest rates of suicide in the state during 2014 and 2015. Suicide deaths increased from 23 in 2013 to 37 in 2014 and 39 in 2015.
A total of 328 suicide deaths occurred in Garland County from 2004-15.
The suicide rate of 41.3 per 100,000 people was the third-highest in the state in 2014. The state average is 17.25. The national average is 12.57.
The panel was asked why the rates are more significant in Garland County, but no singular cause is known. Reece said a variety of causes can lead to suicide.
Coalition members are working with the Garland County coroner's office to collect and analyze data of local suicides. Reece said most dealt with mental health issues.
Risk for suicide in the area increases after the age of 30. The most at-risk population for suicide in Garland County is white men older than 50. Local suicide victims are more likely to be male, but almost half the 39 deaths last year were female victims.
Sisson said concerned family members and friends can request a commitment order through the office of Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Terri Harris at 501 Ouachita Ave., Room 107. The office can be reached at 501-622-3720.
Hight said family members are crucial for service providers to care for possibly suicidal patients. He said many patients will try to convince others they are fine and should not be in a facility.
"They'll know the right things to say," Hight said. "If you're not suicidal or homicidal or a danger to yourself or others, it's pretty hard to keep you against your will in the ER."
Hight said friends and family can provide information that may contradict the patients' statements and allow a facility to continue care for the patient.
"That carries a lot of weight," Hight said. "At that point, I can say, OK, we have a concerned family member here with a history of mental health issues. We need to take a step back and really look at this person."
Sisson said symptoms of someone being suicidal can include lack of energy, lack of interest and a sense of hopelessness. He said depression and suicidal ideations can present differently in patients, as some may be angry or irritable.
Boyd said other changes in behavior can be a sign. He said those who consider suicide may give away their possessions and visit people they have not seen in a significant amount of time.
New patients at Community Counseling undergo a psychiatric diagnostic assessment. Sisson said the organization tries to help patients with the cost of medications when funding is available.
An attendee asked if suicide training is provided for students, teachers and clergy members. Training sessions about suicide are available in the community, but are not required for educators. Reece said the coalition has faced some resistance in engaging the religious community to address suicide.
The coalition has applied for a grant to implement a suicide prevention program in a local school. Funding will only allow for the program to begin in one school. Reece said she hopes to help spread the program throughout the state.
"I thought they were all excellent questions and that they broached the subjects of depression and suicide in the best possible way," Reece said. "We definitely educated people and they had a lot of questions that I feel the community has at heart."
Reece recommended the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Callers can request to speak with a volunteer with training for specific demographics, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Call 800-273-8255 to speak with a trained crisis counselor in the area. The Lifeline is free and confidential 24 hours a day. Additional information is available online at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Local on 07/27/2016