Why Marblehead Mental Health Task Force thinks suicide convo is essential

Jan. 27—Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of death among youth in the commonwealth? Or that in 2017, 688 suicides occurred in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health. That's a number greater than deaths due to motor vehicles and homicides combined.

When the Marblehead Mental Health Task Force holds its next speaker series event Monday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m., hope is it will spark a conversation about just that — suicide awareness.

"This is an area that continues to be more profoundly impacted during the pandemic," said Joanne Miller, a member of the task force as well as the Board of Health. "We have to have conversations about suicide because people need to talk about it and we need to feel comfortable talking about it so we can help people who are suffering."

This is the second event in a speaker series sponsored by Marblehead Cares. Miller said the conversation will be led by Adam Ciccio, a licensed mental health counselor, and Amanda Rumble, a counselor at Marblehead High School. It will be moderated by Salem State University professor Melissa Kaplowitch.

The first speaker series was an overview of the pandemic and its impact, but Kaplowitch said the Jan. 31 event will focus more narrowly on the warning signs, conducting a risk assessment, and how to talk to someone who might be contemplating suicide. It will also be about offering resources to anyone who has attempted or is thinking about attempting suicide as well as resources for people who are grieving the loss of someone to suicide.

Miller said Rumble will talk about the SOS program, which she has been presenting at the high school where the idea is to empower teens to talk, particularly if they think someone is in trouble. Miller said often people might feel that a loved one is throwing off signals that they might be in trouble, but they don't tell anyone.

"We need to empower listeners with what steps they can take," she said.

Kaplowitch said they will also take a look at how the pandemic and the isolation that has come with it has contributed to an increase in suicide across all age groups.

Kaplowitch noted the advice regarding warning signs works for everyone and anyone who knows someone who is down or depressed or in some cases none of those things.

"It doesn't always present as depressed, down, loss of energy," she said. "Sometimes it's just the opposite."

Miller said while there will be a focus on middle and high school-aged kids, they are hoping for a broader, community-wide conversation as well.

"We are all spent," she said. "We are all exhausted."

Miller said every time people think they see a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, it turns out not to be so and that has led to rising anxiety and stress levels among everyone. The good news, she said, is there is evidence that shows when there is greater awareness, strong conversations, and people who listen to one another, it helps.

"Suicide Awareness, A Community Discussion" will be held in the Marblehead High School auditorium but virtual access will also be available, at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2020. For more information and live stream access go to https://marbleheadcares.org/.

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