Suicide Prevention Month draws attention to mental health and trauma
Suicide rates are going the wrong way in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National rates increased from 10.4 per 100,000 individuals in 2000 to 14.2 per 100,000 in 2022, an increase of about 36%.
Experts point to the rise of mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as contributing factors of suicide and attempted suicide, but trauma and violence also can contribute.
The July 13 assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump presented a point of reflection for those involved in mental health intervention in Butler County.
Dr. John E. Neyman Jr., a counselor at the Renewed Life Center in Buffalo Township, said such incidents can spark feelings of anxiety. Neyman specializes in anxiety, but also offers counseling services to those experiencing other mental health issues.
“I’ve seen the community come together following the event to support and to be there for those who were involved, but also I’ve seen a lot of anger, too,” he said.
The assassination attempt had a profound impact on many in the community, he said.
“I’ve been meeting with people who were actually at the event, and they tell me that when they go to places in public, they are much more cautious,” he said. “They’re watching for escape routes and such, so it seems that there’s a lot more anxiety and fear, too.”
Christina Esposito, a Butler native and psychology instructor at Slippery Rock University, said a culture of violence can take a toll on mental health.
“Although the imminent risk of a shooting this close to home is over, I think people in Butler County are still seeing the pervasive effects of the violence that is so normal in our present society,” she said.
Furthermore, she said the stress from such an event can lead to years of physical trauma, not just mental.
“The stress that we hold in our body, given a trauma in our lives, leads to higher cortisol levels,” she said. “It can cause anything from headaches to high blood pressure to heart problems to cancer.”
Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention encourage early treatment of mental health issues as a way to save lives.
But stigma, a negative set of beliefs regarding something — in this case, mental health and trauma — can create a barrier to care, Esposito said.
“I absolutely think that there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health in this country,” she said. “People think they’re the only ones who are feeling this way, and there’s a certain amount of shame in reaching out for help.”
But mental health care should be seen in the same way as a physical health checkup, she said.
“We need to emphasize that there is no shame in reaching out for help if you have any depression or anxiety symptoms,” she said.
Donna Lamison, executive director of Butler County NAMI, said stigma can be especially difficult for young people.
“Peer pressure that younger people have at school or wherever might play a big factor in seeking help,” Lamison said. “Young people don’t want to be different than the others; they want to fit it in.”
But stigma also can impact adults, she said.
“Mental illness and trauma can create a stigma because it not easily seen, unlike a physical illness,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important for individuals to find someone they can talk to, someone that is going to support them and listen, rather than make them feel worse than they already feel.”
Neyman said his practice offers groups for people to discuss their experiences.
“I want the whole county to know that there’s hope for us to work through trauma they’ve experienced,” he said.
How should residents help their loved ones who may be struggling with mental health?
NAMI’s Lamison encourages individuals to pay attention and make connections.
“Don’t ignore warning signs in yourself or others,” she said. “The best thing to do is to reach out. Butler County has a tremendous amount of resources.”
Some signs that may indicate an individual is dealing with trauma include increased anxiety, atypical emotional responses and withdrawal from people and activities previously seen as enjoyable. For example, children may act out or throw temper tantrums when previously they would not.
“Anything out of the ordinary is kind of a signal,” Lamison said. “That’s why I think the more education you have, the more support you have, the better able you will be to actually see the signs and the symptoms and understand what they are.”
NAMI is just one organization providing mental health resources, including crisis intervention, in Butler County. Support groups are offered in-person and virtually.
For more information regarding NAMI, visit www.namibutler.org. NAMI can also be reached by emailing info@namibutler.org, or by calling 724-431-0069.
Butler County Mental Health Crisis Services can be reached by calling 1-800-292-3866 or by texting 63288. Crisis services operate 24/7.
