Locals hear about preventing suicide

Wintery weather no doubt played a role in reducing the turnout but the topic was as big as ever, Montana’s suicide rate.

Guest speaker Susan Hay-Patrick, a leader in Missoula’s suicide prevention initiative relayed some shocking statistics to the nearly 20 folks who braved ice and snow to attend the Cabin Fever group’s gathering at the Mineral County Fairgrounds Saturday evening.

Patrick, a founder and current chairperson for Missoula-based Project Tomorrow Montana, told the gathering Montana has the highest suicide rate in the nation and that Missoula County has the highest rate in the state.

Thanks to her group’s efforts, the Missoula County rate has fallen three years in a row.

She told the group that April is usually the highest month for “completed” suicides nationally. After going through the holidays, dealing with the cold and limited sunshine in winter, those contemplating suicide usually deal with severe depression as the result of that time period and lose hope that things will ever get better.

She said “completed” is replacing “committed” in describing suicides as committed was deemed to indicate criminal intent.

Patrick said the United Way is leading the battle against suicide, having trained more than 5,000 people in Missoula County in what to look for and how to approach friends, family members, co-workers and others who might be showing signs of harmful thoughts and helping them avoid and prevent a possible tragedy.

Also present at the meeting was Flathead Nation Salish-Kootenai Tribe member Darla Brovold who wrote and played a song of hope for all those who have grieved the loss of a loved one.

Tribal suicide rates are among the highest in the state and country, she said.

Cabin Fever organizer Monte Turner said despite the small turnout, the meeting was able to focus the spotlight on the tragedy that is suicide.

“The small group that was there had a very positive upside,” Turner said. “It almost became a group therapy session because so many who came opened up with their painful stories.”

Cabin Fever, a group of Mineral County area residents who gather socially to discuss topics of community importance meets several times each spring.

Their next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the 4-H Building on the Mineral County Fairgrounds site.

Amy Lommen, a representative of the Mineral County Health Department will speak about the Zero to Five Initiative which aims to make sure children age zero to five receive love, nutrition, encouragement and other essentials to help them in those critical young years.