Suicide Prevention Month: “Be The One To Help Save A Life”
TOMS RIVER – September is Suicide Prevention Month and this year, the theme is “Be the One to Help Save a Life.” The Ocean County Health Department wants everyone to help spread awareness and promote prevention groups and more.
Over the past year, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all in so many ways and one of the biggest concerns has been the effect on people’s mental health. Many public health officials have seen a rise in the number of people experiencing anxiety, depression, psychosis, loneliness and other mental health concerns which can lead to thoughts of suicide.
About 60 percent of people that died by suicide have had a mood disorder and depression. The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) states that in 2019, Ocean County ranked second in New Jersey for suicide death (64 suicide deaths) and was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.