World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. Each day in the United States, more than 130 people die as a result of opioid overdose. In 2017, opioid use put Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky in the top five death rate states by overdose . According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the estimated economic burden of this addiction and death rate is over $75 Billion a year.

In August 2019, the Ohio Department of Health revealed that overdose death rates in Ohio had dropped substantially in 2018. The death rate dropped 22% compared to national decline of 5%. Out of the 88 counties in Ohio, 61 of them saw this death rate drop. The other counties have either reported no change or an increase in these preventable opioid deaths. Click here for more information.

The death rate numbers for most of Ohio’s counties is decreasing, but there is still a lot of work to be done in our Tri-State and out country. These overdoses and deaths are preventable. If you, or anyone you know, is seeking help, please visit one of our Behavioral Specialists at a Family Medical Center near you.