Suicide is a complex, global public health crisis.
According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri has a higher suicide rate of 18.7 compared to the national average of 14.04 per …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Suicide is a complex, global public health crisis.
According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri has a higher suicide rate of 18.7 compared to the national average of 14.04 per 100,000 people.
This September, in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Arthur Center’s Zero Suicide Comittee will be using Emma Benoit’s story in “My Ascension: A Documentary of Hope and Recovery” to educate its communities about suicide prevention.
“At Arthur Center, our mission is to inspire community health and wellness by supporting the whole person – mind and body,” Arthur Center CEO Brock Lough said in a news release. “Events like this film screening allow us to work together as a community to break the silence around suicide, provide hope, and connect people with the resources they need.”
Screenings of the documentary will be free at Mexico Cinema III at 11 a.m. Sept. 12-14.
Because suicide is a difficult and emotional subject, Arthur Center Community Health will have licensed mental health professionals on-site at each showing, a news release stated. These professionals will be available to talk with anyone who needs to process their feelings, ask questions, or connect to local resources. Information about counseling, crisis support, and other services will also be provided to ensure that help is always within reach.
And in order to better prepare themselves, the Arthur Center will have a private, staff-only screening of the documentary today on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The Arthur Center attended their first Zero Suicide Achademy in 2016 with the goal of bringing “suicide safer care” to its communities.
“It’s really a nationwide initiative that healthcare professionals or behavioral health entities really commit to,” said Kerri Ferrari, lead of school-based initiatives at Arthur Center Community Health. “It’s not just one program; it’s about a culture within your organization of trying to reach zero suicide.”
Stacey Williams, Zero Suicide comitee co-chair and director of residential programs for Arthur Center Community Health, explained that on a state level, many organizations have adopted the zero suicide model, which is an evidence-based practice.
“The zero suicide model really is taking that idea that one suicide is one too many,” Williams said.
Williams worked for Arthur Center Community Health from 2008 to 2016. She then worked for the Missouri Department of Mental Health as the suicide prevention coordinator for about six and a half years before returning to Arthur Center Community Health.
“We know it’s a myth, a longtime myth, that talking about suicide will make people want to engage in suicide practices and we know that’s not true at all,” Williams said. “In fact, the opposite is true that talking about it can actually open up the door to encourage someone to open up.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the Crisis Lifeline. To learn more about the film and watch the trailer, visit www.myascension.us
