Battling suicide nationally, locally

The nation’s mental health crisis once again made local news this week, after bystanders and first responders stepped up and saved the life of a man who was threatening suicide on Whites Canyon Bridge on Monday.

Local and national statistics indicate how widespread depression, anxiety and concerns about mental health in general are in society, which experts who work in the field see daily.

Studies on suicide indicate the problem is on the rise nationally, but efforts and awareness are also increasing, especially in the Santa Clarita Valley.

While problems can range from anxiety to depression to hopelessness, sometimes the solution can be as easy as being there to listen to someone, and caring about them, said Larry Schallert, assistant director of COC’s Student Health and Wellness Center, who organizes a committee at College of the Canyons, which meets with first responders, city and

county representatives and stakeholders in the mental health community to work on stopping suicides.

“If someone is feeling depressed or thinking about suicide, and we can listen to them nonjudgmentally and try to understand what they’re going through, the connection will be there, and they may find that there’s another option,” Schallert said, noting while there can be numerous causes for sorrow, someone taking the time to show compassion can save a life. “When you’re feeling hopeless, it just doesn’t feel like there’s too many options, and suicide is just one.”

One of the efforts the task force has come up with is to include local business owners in their outreach efforts, whether it’s creating outreach material or working with companies to make resources and information available on site.

In addition to the task force, which promotes events for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, and creates forums for discussion, there have been local efforts such as the SCV Boys & Girls Club’s recent series of speakers, which looks to serve an even younger audience, and share information on the dangers of behavior such as bullying.

The college also offers six to eight free counseling sessions for anyone who would like someone to talk to about depression, anxiety, selfworth issues or any other mental health concerns.

Data available locally from the Sheriff’s Department indicates no minors have killed themselves in 2018; there have been 24 local suicides to date this year, with the highest number recorded in the 50-59 age group (10).