GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and the Crisis Center through Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin provides resources to those who may be struggling.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, suicide rates among Wisconsin residents increased by 32% from 2000 to 2020. In 2020, 861 Wisconsin residents died by suicide, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death in the state.
“In Brown County, the lowest number we’ve seen in the last 10 years was in 2018 with 25 suicides,” said Jenny Younk, Director of Crisis Center. “Contrast that to the highest year in the last 10 years; we had 47 die by suicide in 2016.”
In 2022 Brown County saw 33 total suicides. Through July of this year there have been 25 suicides in Brown County.
The Crisis Center is a program of Family Services that provides 24/7 support to those living within Brown County. In 2022, the Crisis Center received over 19,000 calls, with 79% of those being related to suicide. Residents of Brown County in need of help can directly contact the Crisis Center Hotline at (920) 436-8888.
Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin also houses and operates the 988 Wisconsin Lifeline as part of the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline. Available 24/7, this confidential resource provides phone, text, and chat support, connecting individuals with trained counselors to assist in crisis intervention.
“Every day, there are people around us who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and you may not know it just by looking at them,” said Younk. “We need to be willing to ask if someone is thinking about suicide and then listen to the answer. As hard as it may be to hear, it can be all the more difficult for people to admit, and by opening that door, you could help save a life.”
Coming up on Saturday, September 9, community members can participate in the Be The Light Walk at 8:30 p.m. This is a family-friendly event hosted by the Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention, of which the Family Services Crisis Center is a member.
Participants can learn more about organizations and agencies around Northeast Wisconsin who are actively working toward this goal in prevention, intervention and postvention. Conclude the evening with a beautifully lit 1-mile walk through Downtown Green Bay.
For more information about Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, visit www.familyservicesnew.org. For more information about the Be The Light Walk, visit www.bethelightwalk.com.
