According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the second leading cause of death nationwide for youth ages 10 – 14. Harford County partners are raising awareness and training community members to intervene.
To raise awareness, the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy has developed PSAs, billboards, and HarfordTalks.com for parents and others to learn the signs of suicidal ideation. The PSAs and billboards use images of young people to show that anyone’s child could be at risk.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that any child could feel so hopeless they would consider suicide,” County Executive Barry Glassman said. “We must do all we can to prevent suicide and remove the stigma around mental health that often prevents someone from seeking help. By talking openly and sharing resources, we can save lives.”
In addition, the County is offering free suicide prevention training to anyone 14 and older. The interactive, two-hour training, known as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), teaches participants to identify someone at risk of suicide and connect them to care. And specialized training is also available for youth, veterans, first responders, farmers, and faith-based communities.
While the warning signs in children can be subtle, understanding potential red flags can play a crucial role in intervention. For example, signs that a child under 14 may be considering suicide include changes in behavior, changes at school, self-isolation, giving away prized possessions, engaging in risky behavior such as using drugs and alcohol, and feeling hopeless.
Harford’s campaign stresses the importance of recognizing these signs, feeling comfortable speaking with children openly and honestly, and knowing where to turn for help.
According to a County press release:
While the warning signs in children can be subtle, learning potential red flags plays a crucial role in intervention. Signs that a child under 14 may be considering suicide include changes in behavior, changes at school, self-isolation, giving away prized possessions, engaging in risky behavior such as using drugs and alcohol, and feeling hopeless.
Harford’s campaign stresses the importance of recognizing these signs, feeling comfortable speaking with children openly and honestly, and knowing where to turn for help.
Other efforts to reduce suicide in Harford County include the 24-hour hotline, 1-800-NEXT-STEP and promoting safe storage of firearms and safe disposal of over-the-counter drugs; awareness campaigns to educate healthcare providers about suicide risk, response, and appropriate referral; funding to encourage more suicide bereavement support groups, and youth support groups and trainings to teach healthy coping skills.
A suicide prevention workgroup meets monthly in Harford County to identify opportunities to provide resources and enhance supportive services to prevent suicide. Workgroup members include representatives from Harford County Department of Community Services, Harford County Public Schools, the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center, the Harford County Office of Mental Health, the Health Department, Veteran’s Administration, Healthy Harford, the local chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Harford Community College, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Bel Air Police Department, Ashley Treatment Services, and other partners.
Anyone interested in helping to reduce suicide in Harford County can call Tara Lathrop, administrator in the Office of Drug Control Policy, at 410-638-3333.
