(This article includes information about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.)
By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
A report from the first year of the Wood County Suicide Fatality Review Board was shared during Monday’s Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board meeting.
In an effort to identify gaps and inform prevention efforts, the Suicide Fatality Review Board analyzed 16 confirmed suicide deaths in Wood County, said Amanda Kern, WCADAMHS Executive Director, and a member of the review board.
The Fatality Review Board, chaired by Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Robison, has a goal of reducing preventable suicide deaths by improving understanding of how and why suicides occur. In addition to the Wood County Health Department and WCADAMHS, representatives are from BGSU Community and Well-Being, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Wood County Juvenile Court, Wood County Protective Services and Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
Of the 16 suicides that the group reviewed, 76% were male, 71% used firearms and 75% of the females used hanging. The demographics identified that 94% were from a vulnerable population, 88% had a mental health diagnosis, 23.5% identified as LBGTQIA+, 35% were 50-69 year old and 25% were under 30 years old.
The core of the presentation focused on the board’s official recommendations, which included increasing awareness of support systems, provider education, and promoting safe firearm storage, Kern said.
Among the first-year recommendations from the review board are:
- Increase awareness of support systems already in place for local, vulnerable populations
- Groups and programs with NAMIK Wood County, BGSU or Wood County Committee on Aging,
- Build Awareness of Wood County Suicide Prevention Coalition and ANMI Wood County.
- Include utilization of the LOSS Programs for survivors of suicide loss.
- Encourage community awareness about warning signs and where to seek help.
- Build peer connectedness and opportunities for social interaction, especially among aging communities and
- Improve provider education.
“We are really looking at increasing awareness for our support systems already in place, our group programs such as NAMI or at BGSU, the Wood County Committee on Aging, building awareness of the Suicide Prevention Coalition and NAMI’s efforts, looking at utilization of the LOSS programs for survivors of suicide loss,” she further explained.
A workgroup was formed to implement the findings, and the official recommendations were submitted to the state.
“We’re looking at how we can improve and start closing some of those gaps in the system and doing follow-up differently depending on risk support,” she said about tailoring responses for high-risk individuals. “There’s going to be a lot over the next probably year that you’re going to see… working collaboratively to start developing some new programming and improve some of our systems due to the work that we’ve done.”
Emmy Lou brings comfort, connection, tail wags to WCADAMHS office
Emmy Lou is a calming presence during WCADAMHS board meetings and day-to-day office operations. Her title is chief comfort officer.
As a certified therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Emmy Lou brings comfort, connection and a few well-timed tail wags, according to Kathryn Shackleton, the dog’s handler and the administrative and fiscal specialist at WCADAMHS.
“She plays an important role in supporting emotion well—being, whether it’s easing nerves, sparking smiles, or simply being a calming presence,” she said.
The dog supports the agency’s mission by offering moments of calm and connection during office visits and meetings, community events and outreach activities, awareness and prevention initiatives, staff wellness moments, and partner and provider engagements.
Participation is never required, and the office staff is respectful of allergies, fears and personal boundaries before including Emmy in activities.
More information about Emmy the therapy dog is available on her own page on the WCADAMHS website. Click here to read more.
