Suicide rates in the community have increased significantly, according to Katrina Sunivelle, executive director for Contact Helpline, as she spoke to the Rotary Club of Columbus on Tuesday.
Calls coming into the hotline are placed into a database to provide statistical research for the Mississippi State Department of Health, Sunivelle explained. Based on data from 2018 — the most recent year available on MSDH’s website — suicide is now the 12th leading overall cause of death in Mississippi and makes up 47% of all violent deaths in the state. Death by assault makes up 43% of violent deaths.
“We want to bring those numbers down and it’s important we work together to do that,” Sunivelle said of Contact Helpline. “We’re a 24/7 hotline that answers 98% of calls.”
Since 1975, Contact Helpline has been assisting those who are dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, specifically those in Mississippi. Calling Contact Helpline, or 988, provides callers with help handling these thoughts including specialized support through the Veterans Crisis Hotline and a hotline specific to members of LGBTQ+ under the age of 25.
As suicide rates increase, so does the number of calls placed to Contact Helpline. Sunivelle described crisis intervention training and open-mindedness as the driving factors to help someone in need.
“Caucasian older, adult men are the largest group,” Sunivelle said. “So make sure that you’re taking care of your brother. Be your brother’s keeper, be honest and open to assisting.”
Sunivelle encourages everyone facing distress to call Contact Helpline, even if they are not in immediate need of suicide prevention assistance. She explained that the helpline is capable of recommending coping skills after a traumatic event, giving advice on how to seek professional and medical help, and simply having an open conversation with those in need.
“Depression is an underlying issue that then magnifies because something traumatic has happened,” Sunivelle said. “Trauma can pile up, then it is not addressed, and eventually it comes to a breaking point.”
People at risk for taking their own life often exhibit common traits that can be used as warning signs by those around them. Willie S. Sanders, a Columbus-based professional counselor, shared with The Dispatch suicide risk factors to watch for.
“If someone is social, they could go into isolation,” Sanders said. “They may become withdrawn from engagement, perhaps even withdrawn from work activities.”
While it is important to lend a helping hand to those directly struggling with depressive thoughts, sometimes those affected indirectly can use support as well. Sanders advised friends and family to help their loved ones experiencing these thoughts, but not to take on the role of a therapist or counselor.
“Step one is having a conversation with them, step two is to evaluate what mentally triggered them into a state of hopelessness,” Sanders said. “And step three is to offer to guide them to professional help if the problem is out of your control.”
Counselors, like Sanders, are available in the community to help those in need. Sanders mentioned that most counselors are overwhelmed due to full capacity after COVID-19, but that there are various ways to contact counselors remotely through telehealth.
“There are several great counseling options in this community,” Sanders said. “If you need counseling you are not weak or crazy, you are wise.”
Contact Helpline can be reached by calling (662) 323-4357 or 988.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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