Gastonia, NC [May 29, 2024] – Following recent tragic deaths by suicide in Gaston County and surrounding areas, Partners Health Management and Gaston County health officials wanted to share information about available resources for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or having suicidal thoughts.
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationally in 2021, there were about 1.7 million suicide attempts by adults and more than 48,000 people died by suicide, according to the CDC. That is about one death every 11 minutes.
In North Carolina, 1,412 deaths by suicide were reported in 2021. Gaston County’s suicide rate has remained consistently higher than North Carolina’s rate since 2008. The overall rate for Gaston County increased by 15.03% while the state rate increased by 9.8% for the same period, according to Gaston County Public Health Director Brittain Kenney.
“Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Gaston County for both children and young adults, crossing over into every demographic, income level and social group,” Kenney said. “The effects of suicide impact us all, including the families and communities left with the devastation of losing a loved one. For every loss caused by suicide, the ripples are felt across our county.”
Suicide is a complicated issue with several contributing factors that require a multi-layered preventive response, Kenney added. “Our community must make sure individuals and families know how to recognize mental health crisis and get early support and intervention. Everyone needs to know about the safety nets like our local crisis lines. We also need to make sure our community provides resources that promote resilience and help individuals overcome mental health challenges.”
Help is one call or text away. Here are the quickest ways to get help when you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis. These resources are available 24/7/365:
- Partners Health Management Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 833-353-2093.
- Call or text 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- NC Peer Warmline: 1-855-PEERS NC (1-855-733-7762).
Partners also offers Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training available virtually each month. This training teaches participants how to recognize warning signs and use three simple steps to help someone who is struggling.
“Talking openly about suicide is the first step toward prevention as a community,” said Partners Community Engagement Training Manager Amber Matthews, who teaches QPR. “What I tell people in our trainings is that although there are a lot of licensed professionals trained to assist someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, they are not the first person to pick up on the warning signs. Noticing the warning signs and connecting someone to available resources is how lives are saved.”
Other Crisis Resources:
- Phoenix Counseling Center Mobile Crisis: A clinician will come to the person in crisis to assist. Call 855-527-4747.
ABOUT PARTNERS
Partners Health Management is a leading local managed care organization (LME/MCO), providing access to care for central and western North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. Partners manages Medicaid, state and local funding for intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use disorder (IDD/MH/SUD) services in our covered areas, which includes Burke, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin counties.
We are recognized across North Carolina for our Partners Community Model and unwavering commitment to the counties and the families we serve. Through our steadfast community focus and longstanding partnerships with local stakeholders, agencies and elected officials, our members receive the care and support they need.
ABOUT GASTON COUNTY
Gaston County is the ninth largest county by population in North Carolina, home to nearly 235,000 residents. Located in the Charlotte metro region, Gaston County boasts a wide range of natural destinations perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, a diverse and growing manufacturing and health care job sector, with abundant options for affordable housing and good living. Gaston County Government employees almost 1,800 individuals committed to “Providing Excellent Public Service Every Day.”
