The suicide rate in Crawford County has steadily increased the past few years.

"We went from about 300 calls per year to 500 calls per year. During the past three months, we have had 115 calls for people at-risk of suicide," said Jonathan Suter, public relations officer for Community Counseling.

According to Ed Kirkpatrick, director of crisis intervention at the agency, the common denominator is always depression or a depressed mood.
"Contributing factors can be alcohol or drug use, the economic situation in the county such as loss of jobs, financial stress or the increase in costs of everything and relationship problems or divorce," Kirkpatrick said.

The agency helps people in distress.

"In order for us to help, we have to know about it first. Not everyone comes here when they are in trouble," Suter said.

If a person in distress does not contact the agency on their own, they can be referred by the emergency department at local hospitals or through other agencies such as Contact Crawford County.

"The person is first evaluated to determine their level of risk so they can get the appropriate psychiatric care and provided with medicine if needed," Suter said.

The person is then provided with counseling support and encouraged to get involved in activities that provide them with better coping skills.

"Once a person knows about us, they will have access to 24-hour emergency coverage. I can only think of one person in 13 years that was receiving treatment that we were unable to help. Our success rate is incredible," Kirkpatrick said.

A survey at Bucyrus City Schools showed that 15 percent of high school students admitted to considering suicide.

"We are providing many support systems at the school. We have our two CABS (Caring About Bucyrus Students) advocates in place that are facilitating several support programs. We contract with Community Counseling and Jamie Hodgins from that agency comes into the school and provides educational groups. The latest one we are starting is a group for children of alcoholics. All our groups are confidential," said Bob Laipply, alcohol and drug reduction grant coordinator for the school.

The two student advocates, who are licensed social workers, are Beth Constantine and Kirk Ransom.

"They are great with the kids and the kids really want them here," Laipply said.

The groups are geared to raise awareness and self-esteem among the students.

"Mr. Oyster and Mr. Kimmel are allowing us to hold the group meetings during school at various times so they do not interfere with the students academic classes," Laipply said.

To raise more awareness on the issue of suicide, the Crawford County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Crawford-Marion ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health) Board and the National Association for Mental Illness hold a suicide prevention walk each year. This year's walk will take place at 10:45 a.m. May 17 at Aumiller Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The event features prizes for the most money raised. All proceeds go to the NAMI Family of Marion and Crawford Counties.

For more information on the walk, contact Ginger Gamble at 419-562-8235. For more information on Community Counseling Services, contact the agency at 419-562-2000.