EDMOND —
So far this year there have been 13 suicides in Edmond, police said. That compares to four reported suicides in 2011 and seven in 2010 for this city of more than 80,000 residents.
Other statistics for Oklahoma include: Suicide deaths outnumber homicides by more than two to one; the suicide rate is 30 percent higher than the U.S. rate; men are three times more likely than women to kill themselves; and one in five suicide victims had a history of suicide attempts and 30 percent had shared their intent or feelings with another person.
These troubling numbers come from the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s 2011 State of the State’s Health report.
Victims are male and female, and in Edmond they have ranged from age 14 to age 60-plus, according to information from the Edmond Police Department. Behind every number is a human life — a son, a daughter, a mother, a father, a relative, a friend, a co-worker.
Last week, the University of Central Oklahoma partnered with Edmond’s First United Methodist Church for a suicide intervention training through the university’s ASIST program — Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. Leaders from eight faith communities completed the free training coordinated by Ken Elliott, director of UCO’s Violence Prevention Project.
Edmond has a network of women and men from all faith traditions who have answered a call to serve, Elliott said.
“They frequently deal with the daunting task of reaching out and joining others in a place of darkness, loneliness and despair,” Elliott said. “These leaders gently and patiently stay with people at risk and slowly help guide them towards reasons for living. Our culture abounds with taboos about anything painful, particularly suicide.”
Scott Saxon, director of Youth and Family Ministry for Peace Lutheran Church, 2600 E. Danforth Road, said he attended the workshop because every one of the young lives lost was precious.
“Through the workshop I learned that I may have an option to offer someone considering suicide, that option being hope for a better life,” Saxon said.
Saxon said he is very hopeful the workshop can make a positive difference in the community. Having more trained faith-leaders and developing a broader network of caring, loving and concerned adults gives those considering suicide a safe, life-affirming alternative.
Many other community stakeholders, including the EPD and Edmond Public Schools, continue to work to address the issue.
WHY OKLAHOMA, WHY NOW?
For those who may be wondering why there is an elevated suicide rate in Oklahoma at this time there are no easy answers.
Elliott said last week’s training represented some of the brightest minds that faith traditions can offer. The general tone was that people at risk of suicide were experiencing a crisis of hope and feeling detached, he said.
Bert Potts, senior pastor at Edmond’s First United Methodist Church, said the nation’s diverse and disconnected culture creates an environment where the need to belong and a sense of purpose are sometimes not met.
“Sensing no hope, people want to flee from their despair,” Potts said. “We, as clergy, have a message of hope to share.”
Elliott said Oklahoma struggles with issues of child abuse, divorce, domestic violence, mental and physical health issues and drug and alcohol abuse issues — and the list goes on.
“As a society we do not do very well at meeting these increasingly growing family issues and needs,” he said. “Although we have talented and dedicated people addressing these issues, locally we are only affecting the tip of the iceberg.”
Someone or something shows us that suicide is an option to consider, Elliott said. Whether someone in the extended family, a member of the same school or community, or even a famous and successful person suicide is out there as a conversation for youth and among youth, he said.
However, asking a young person about thoughts of suicide does not increase the likelihood of attempting, but rather lowers anxiety levels and allows the person to talk about their feelings, Elliott said.
“The seed of suicide is not planted by a caring responsible adult asking the suicide question,” he said. “A door is opened to life providing hope and reassurance.”
STATE PREVENTION EFFORTS
Under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse has initiated the Oklahoma Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Initiative.
Project Director David Harris said it is providing gatekeeper training and screening throughout Oklahoma through local mental health prevention service providers, schools, youth-serving agencies, tribal governments and colleges and universities.
It seeks to reduce suicide deaths and attempts among groups including youth age 10-24, Native American males and military personnel who are active, National Guard or veterans, Harris said. It also seeks to increase community and state-level capacity for suicide prevention, he said.
At-risk youth will receive follow up care coordination services to ensure they connect with appropriate mental health care services, Harris said. It also will provide crisis consultation to communities.
Numbers to call for help or for more information include:
• 341-3554 — Edmond Family Counseling, 1251 N. Broadway Suite C;
• 211 — HeartLine’s 24/7 information and referral line for health and human service needs; 911 for someone at immediate risk;
• 848-CARE — HeartLine’s 24/7 Family Careline offered in partnership with Family Builders;
• 1-800-273-8255 and 1-800-784-2433 — national suicide prevention lifelines answered in the state by HeartLine. You can also make a difference by volunteering. For more information on how, visit heartlineoklahoma.org.
TO LEARN MORE about UCO’s ASIST program and other counseling services at the university, call Ken Elliott at 974-2388, email him at kelliott@uco.edu or visit www.uco.edu/student-affairs/scc.
Local News
Suicide statistics ignore human element
Church leaders train in suicide prevention
- Local News
-
-
EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
-
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
- More Local News Headlines
-
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
