The announcement of another death by suicide in Jones County in September was unwelcomed news at the October meeting of the Jones County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Ashley Prager began the Oct. 22 meeting with an ice breaker before delving into the coroner data for Jones County.
Three suicides have been reported in 2024. Jones County Coroner Matt Jarratt said the three deaths by suicide include a 34-year-old male in February, a 17-year-old male in March and a 58-year-old male in September.
Two of the deaths were the result of asphyxia by hanging and one from a gunshot wound.
Jones County had 15 deaths by suicide between the years of 2021-24.
Prager noted that firearms were used in 53 percent of the suicide deaths. Ninety-three percent of the deaths were Caucasian males, and 54 percent of those were between the ages of 25 and 44 years of age.
The speaker acknowledged that the numbers were discouraging, and she asked for ideas of something new to try. The question was asked if it was possible to get more information about background of the victims in order to have a better idea of how to help.
Coalition member and Jones County coordinator Joy Carr pointed out that the suicide numbers do not include drug overdoses. In order for a drug overdose to be ruled a suicide, a suicide note must be found.
“The question is how to get our message heard,” she said.
Carr also brought up the availability of mental health services.
Coalition member Morgan Stinson said it could make a difference to have trained co-responders to ride along with law enforcement on calls involving mental health issues.
She said pilot programs are underway in the state to figure out how that would work.
Coalition member Sophia Collins said River Edge Behavioral Health has a grant funded in-jail program. That program is not currently available in Jones County.
The Question Persuade Refer (QPR) training program was discussed. It is a 90-minute training program to help individuals recognize a person in crisis and the warning signs that the person could be contemplating suicide.
Carr is the contact person for training.
The emphasis for the coalition has been to focus on the resources available for anyone in crisis, such as the 24/7 crisis line, 988 and mygcal.com, which is available online or with an app.
Giuliana Olliff took over the discussion about the Partners in Prevention Project. The purpose of that program is to prevent substance abuse including underage drinking, tobacco and e-cigarette use.
Olliff said they use positive social norms for postures in the schools as well as classes, such as Catch My Breath for sixth graders and Project Alert for seventh and eighth graders.
The next meeting of the coalition is scheduled at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 in the community room at Jones County High School. The public is invited.
