SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is using this week to bring awareness to mental health resources in the area.

National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 8-14 and the health department says this is an opportunity to continue breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health conversations.

"The data the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, that is the most recent suicide mortality data that we have," said Lauren Stockham, a public health program representative for Springfield-GreeneCounty Health. "The Springfield community, which includes Green, Christian and Webster counties, has a higher rate of suicide mortality than the state and the nation."

The health department said these statistics further narrow down to men aged 45 – 64. This prompted the “Hey man, you good?” campaign, encouraging men to have conversations about mental health. 

If someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the department directs them to Mental Health 417, which is an online interactive resource hub for local mental health resources. People can also call or text the Missouri Suicide Crisis Hotline 988.  

The department said it's important to check in with the people close with you because you never know what someone else is going through. 

"It is more likely than not that, you know, somebody that has been affected by a suicide loss or suicidal thoughts or, you know, somebody who has had mental health challenges," Stockham said. "It is a like, very widespread issue that because of stigma for a really long time we didn't talk about."

News Source : https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/health-department-highlighting-mental-health-resources-in-sgf-area/