The apparent suicide of high-profile fashion designer Kate Spade has once again brought to the forefront the topic of mental health.
Tara Hamilton with Butler County Human Services is a member of the Butler County Suicide Coalition. Hamilton believes we have made some strides reducing the stigma associated with mental health but we also have a ways to go.
“I’m glad to see this is becoming a conversation that’s happening more frequently. People are becoming more aware and, hopefully, a little more comfortable talking about it,” she said.
She noted if you are concerned about someone, it’s OK to ask them if they’re thinking about suicide.
“Asking them that is not going to cause them to die by suicide,” she said.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The National Text Line is 741-741. You can also call the local crisis line through the Butler County Center for Community Resources at 1-800-292-3866. All lines are open 24/7.
Hamilton said when such a ‘visual suicide’ happens, it does somewhat help others to feel like they’re not alone.
“There are lots of folks who do feel like they are alone and seeing someone who seems to have everything going their way, or at least that’s the perception, to discover that they have also struggled…it reminds folks that it really can affect anyone,” she said.
Last September, the Butler County Suicide Coalition set out 23 empty pairs of shoes in Diamond Park to remember the 23 Butler County lives lost to suicide in the past year.
