Mid-Shore Mental Health Groups Discuss Suicide Prevention Resources

(EASTON, Md) – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and groups across the Mid-Shore like channel, Marker in Easton are working to help not only break the stigma around suicide, but help get people in touch with the resources they need.”

And part of helping prevent suicide is through breaking the stigma about getting help. Specifically by calling 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which has been a crucial resource.

“The staff I work with, we talk about this all the time. It’s really just having comfortable conversations, normalizing those conversations, and feeling comfortable asking people if they’re okay. Because I think sometimes we are afraid…” says Channel Marker CEO, Cathy Cassell.

That fear is why groups like Channel Marker, and Mid-Shore Behavioral Health have formed the Mid-Shore Suicide Coalition to help get the word out about those resources.

Mid-Shore Behavioral Health’s Program Director, Brigitte Kelly tells WMDT, “The hope is that through outreach events, through social media posts, through, you know, just word of mouth that, you know, everyone in the community will start, you know, recognizing nine, eight, eight and they’ll know.”

And both groups we spoke to say the best help people can offer to those struggling with suicidal thoughts is simple:

Talking to them.

“…Having just general, basic conversation. So somebody knows somebody cares and somebody listening. I mean, those could be life changing in that moment for sure for some people,” says Cathy.

Even after September, groups like these want people to know they don’t have to be afraid to ask for help.