NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — September is National Suicide Prevention Month and dozens of staff from Neptune Beach took part in suicide prevention training so they can understand the signs of suicide and learn what to do to help someone in crisis.
Thousands of people in the United States die each year from suicide. In fact, the latest CDC data shows over 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2022. In Florida, that number was around 3,400 lives lost.
“We want to destigmatize speaking about suicide," Jess McCrosky, an education and training manager with the local nonprofit Here Tomorrow, said.
City officials and staff from Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach are learning this three-step suicide intervention approach: question, persuade and refer.
“One of the most important things that we can do is to be together, learn more and certainly reach out to people whenever we can," said Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown.
The training was held to honor a Neptune Beach staff member who died by suicide at age 50.
Trainers with Here Tomorrow say although it’s a tough conversation, talking with someone who is suicidal could save a life.
“We want to normalize the conversation and prepare people in our community to be able to ask the questions that help and know where to refer them at the end of the day," McCrosky said.
If you need help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 to get connected with resources. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was launched in 2005 to manage mental health crises. In the first year of its existence, it got 46,000 calls. Fast forward to 2021, it received more than 2 million.