Butler County Suicide Prevention town hall set for May 18

Currently, Missouri sits 13th in the nation in suicide mortality rate, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

SEMO Behavioral Health has spearheaded a town hall meeting 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 18 at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. It follows the lead of other, highly successful meetings.

There will be a total of seven speakers on hand at the event, and topics also will be addressed by Susan Shipp, assistant director of prevention, and Corey Reynolds, behavioral health support program coordinator of Three Rivers College.

“We did one in Stoddard County. It was a huge success,” said Dawn Marshall of Partnership for Success director at FCC Behavioral Health.

While the epidemic continues, various community leaders played a vital role in organizing town halls.

“We have had several community leaders reach out to us to start a coalition,” Marshall said, “And for any resources that may be used to help the community.”

At the current time, males are most affected by the suicide mortality rate, and are three times as likely to succumb to mental illness.

“The purpose of this is to communicate to the community that work in our service area, that we share the need and are organizing with other partnerships to develop a coalition so that the community will have access to a resource and be able to participate in reducing our suicide rate,” Shipp said. “The purpose is really to be that resource. That if you know your resources and who to contact... This will be a partnership. It is for the community.”

Shipp continued: “The purpose of this meeting is to move the conversation from ‘we could’ or ‘we should’ to ‘we can’ and ‘we will.’ It is to communicate to the public that SEMOBH (Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health) Prevention Department hears the concern, and we are ready to assist in organizing area organizations, professionals and community members in building a coalition specific for suicide prevention, and to promote the importance of drug-free communities.”

Who will the coalition serve?

“This coalition will serve as an important resource in Butler County. It is our goal to create similar coalitions Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne Counties,” Shipp said. “These coalitions will enable us to increase suicide prevention education and skills in hopes of strengthening community bonds and resiliency. This Butler County Town Hall (similar to the Stoddard County Town Hall that occurred on March 29) is an opportunity to begin the conversation about suicide prevention and create the opportunity to begin the important work of implementing suicide prevention programs in our communities.”

Reducing the stigma is one point of emphasis which Shipp will address on Wednesday.

Added Shipp: “I specifically requested Corey Reynolds at Three Rivers to present on the topic. And we will be discussing what coalitions are, how they can serve the community and how we can assist in this process. We will also discuss prevention programming, the programs we offer, and then the other organizations that offer prevention programs. They will have the opportunity to communicate those as well.”

Scott Greer, director of prevention at SEMO Behavioral Health, said the increase in suicide opens the door for added discussions.

“In light of the recent increase in suicides, it really opens the door for people to be willing to have a conversation about it. I think in times past it has been one of those things that no one really wants to talk about. We now have come to a place where we no longer can be silent about it,” said Greer.

Outlets are available for those unable to attend. Contact the SEMO Behavioral Health office at 1-800-455-5749, or via e-mail at admissions@semobh.org.