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Groups set meeting on suicide prevention Behavioral health groups set meeting on suicide prevention among veterans

Winston-Salem Journal - 5/29/2017

The free event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Gray Auditorium at Old Salem Visitor's Center, 900 Old Salem Road.

For more information, contact Andy Hagler, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County, at (336) 768-3880.

A coalition of public health groups will continue their focus on suicide-prevention initiatives by addressing issues Thursday facing military veterans.

Among the sponsors are the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County, N.C. Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine'sClinical & Translational Science Institute and Program in Community Engagement, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and the Veterans Administration's Outpatient Center.

A panel discussion will include: Bill Hayes, a veteran and a licensed clinical social worker in mental health at the VA operations in Salisbury; Harold Moore, a peer support specialist with the VA in Salisbury; and Jeremy and Heather Knapp. Jeremy is a Navy veteran, while Heather is a registered nurse.

Andy Hagler, executive director of the county mental health group, said "the risk of death by suicide within veterans is significantly higher than the civilian population," especially with middle-age and older veterans.

The association said that about 20 veterans died by suicide each day in 2014, with 67 percent using a firearm to kill themselves.

"We need to know the warning signs of those at risk of suicide and help them get the mental health treatment they need," Hagler said.

"We want everyone - including our veterans - who have had or are having thoughts of suicide or those who are experiencing depression, anxiety or any mental health issues to know that there is help available in our community."

In November, the association held a presentation that discussed suicide among youth and young adults.

"We want to raise awareness and heighten sensitivity, as suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and all of those who are left behind," Hagler said.

In North Carolina, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second leading of cause of death for adolescents and young adults, defined as ages 15 to 34, and the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 14.

In 2015, there were 1,406 reported suicides in North Carolina, of which 44 occurred in Forsyth.

By comparison, there were 593 reported homicides in North Carolina, including 15 in Forsyth.

"We hear about deaths by homicide, but we hardly hear of deaths by suicide for a variety of reasons: privacy of the family, stigma, denial - a lot of reasons," Hagler said.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 90 percent of Americans who commit suicide experienced a combination of depression and substance abuse.

Ann Akland, chairwoman of the Wake County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said that one way to combat suicidal thoughts is for individuals experiencing depression to place their trust in a close group of family members or friends.

"It empowers these confidants to tell the person when they see their symptoms escalating so they can help get them into treatment and safety," Akland said.

rcraver@wsjournal.com 336-727-7376 @rcraverWSJ