Tomorrow I’ll be presenting all day on Strengths-Based Suicide Assessment and Treatment at Water’s Edge Counseling Services in Rogers, Arkansas. Water’s Edge Counseling Services employs dozens of therapists at four locations. They continue to grow to meet the mental health needs of Arkansas residents. You can find information about their services here: https://www.watersedgecounselingnwa.com/

In anticipation of tomorrow, I looked up some stats on suicide in Arkansas and the U.S.

• In the U.S. – the average rate of death by suicide (from 2022) is 14.5 per 100,000
• New Jersey had the lowest 2022 rates at 7.6.
• Wyoming had the highest at 31.8.
• Arkansas was at 19.5.
• Montana was at 27.5.

Today has been a hard day in Montana, as I’ve heard about two deaths by suicide by individuals in the social world of friends and family. Suicides are tragic and difficult to understand. When suicide happens, it’s important to remember many things, but a couple key points come to mind today.

1. It’s estimated that each suicide affects about 150 people. If you’re feeling guilty and like you should have or perhaps could have done something to save a life, you’re likely not alone.
2. Although you’ll often see messages in suicide prevention presentations or on the internet that suicide is 100% preventable, that’s not really true. In fact, we do more prevention now than ever before in the history of time and the U.S. rates have steadily risen over the past 25 years, in the face of all our prevention efforts.

My big points are that suicide is very difficult to predict and prevent and yet it’s very easy and common for people to feel guilty when someone they know dies of suicide . . . even though the people left behind are not at fault.

However your day has gone today, I wish you as much peace and comfort as possible. If you’re feeling suicidal or especially guilty, please reach out to someone who loves you. They will be happy to talk. Or, if you feel the need, you can call the national suicide crisis hotline: 988. Or, if you’re a texter, there’s a text hotline. Just text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor.

All my best to you . . . and here are the ppts for tomorrow’s presentation: