‘We must continue our efforts to inform and educate so that all of us work to prevent another death by suicide.’
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Thursday is World Suicide Prevention Day, and the Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) is leading efforts to raise awareness of resources to help.
Melanie Brown Woofter, President and CEO of the FBHA, said that suicide unfortunately still poses a serious threat in Florida. She said the world designation of a day raising awareness of people facing the choice of self harm is key to helping residents through dark times.
“Tragically, 3,591 Floridians lost their lives to death by suicide in 2024; 33 more lives lost than in 2023,” Brown Woofter said. “This heartbreaking number indicates we must continue our efforts to inform and educate so that all of us work to prevent another death by suicide.”
Brown Woofter pointed out that just raising awareness of some of the challenges people face in their daily lives can end up saving lives. She said some of the reasons Floridians should consider reaching out for help include thoughts of suicide, anxiety, stress, loneliness, economic worries, postpartum depression, worries about another person who may be suicidal, and if anyone needs just to talk to someone.
FBHA officials point out that help for those considering suicide is readily available by simply calling the 988 Florida Lifeline. The Florida Department of Children and Families lifeline is free to residents.
It offers behavioral health support services 24 hours a day at no charge. The service can not only provide help for anyone with suicidal thoughts, but it also offers guidance for substance abuse disorders, mental health crises or any kind of emotional distress that can be addressed by a crisis counselor.
Those crisis assistance services also are offered in Spanish and provide special assistance for military veterans.
The state services also provide training and assistance to Floridians who want to help their fellow residents cope with crises. Mental Health Awareness Training services teach people how to help others dealing with mental health challenges.
Question, Persuade, Refer training teaches people how to recognize warning signs and offers intervention coaching for those who need help.
And Zero Suicide is a training workshop designed to improve suicide care focusing on best practices and standards.
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