The state is rolling out a new campaign to get people talking about a topic they typically avoid: suicide.
In 2013, there were more than suicides in Connecticut. According to the state, it's a number that has stayed relatively constant over time, and it's also a number that's lower than the national average. On the one hand, that's good news. On the other, fewer suicides would be even better.
"Every suicide is one that we would like to prevent, if at all possible," said Pat Rehmer, the state's commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. "We do believe that suicide is preventable."
The state is rolling out a new public awareness campaign called "1 Word, 1 Voice, 1 Life." The goal is to start a conversation about suicide, because, Rehmer said, talking about suicide can prevent it.
"People need to be talking about this," Rehmer said. "People need to be able to look to friends and family for support. If there is this ongoing stigma related to suicide, and people are afraid to talk about it, then I think that's a huge problem for us."
It's not just talking about suicide that's important. So is this: "Asking the question, 'Are you thinking about committing suicide?'" Rehmer said. "Because that's a very difficult question, if you're not a clinician, to ask somebody directly.... Surprisingly, most people will answer that question honestly. If we're asking the question in the community, and we're talking about it in the community, our hope is that, if people say yes, then we're helping people create a toolbox of what to do."
Rehmer said that answering yes could be the first step towards getting access to care.
Members of the state's Suicide Advisory Board are hosting prevention and training events across the state this month. For more information on these community and campus events, go to preventsuicidect.org.
