CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Local suicide numbers exceed state average

Martinsville Bulletin - 6/16/2017

MARTINSVILLE - Between 2011 and 2015, Patrick and Henry counties' suicide rates exceeded Virginia's suicide rate each year, and Martinsville's suicide rate exceeded Virginia's rate three of the five years, according to annual reports released this week from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Patrick County had the fourth highest suicide rate among Virginia's more than 130 localities in 2013. Patrick County had the 28th highest rate in 2011, tied for the 15th highest suicide rate in 2012, and had the 31st highest rate in 2014 and 34th highest in 2015.

Henry County had the 24th highest suicide rate among Virginia's localities in 2011 and the 32nd highest in 2014.

Martinsville had the 25th highest suicide rate among Virginia's localities in 2013 and tied for the 35th highest in 2015.

2015 is the most recent year for which data were available.

Keep in mind that small numbers of suicides and small populations can cause fluctuations from year to year.

In 2013 suicide ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in Virginia and the seventh leading cause of death in the West Piedmont Health District, according to WPHD Director Dr. Jody Hershey. 2013 is the most recent year for which data on leading causes of death in Virginia were immediately available. Nationally, in 2013 suicide was the 10th leading cause of death.

The West Piedmont Health District is comprised of Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties and the city of Martinsville.

"Issues in the city of Martinsville, Henry and Patrick counties ? such as unemployment, financial problems, as well as isolation and loneliness ? can lead to anxiety and/or depression or some other form of mental illness," Hershey said. "It is important to keep in mind that mental illness is one of the most common causes of suicide."

He added that "unfortunately, the West Piedmont Health District and each of its localities are designated shortage areas for both mental health and primary care professionals."

Hershey said feeling trapped and unable to cope with a particular situation in life tends to lead people to consider suicide, but everyone needs to recognize that pain is an inevitable part of life.

"So what can be done if you are suicidal? Either find a way to reduce the amount of pain you are experiencing and/or increase your coping resources," Hershey said. "My advice is that if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, try and seek professional help. Piedmont Community Services is a good place to start. Their office number is 276-632-7128."

Hershey pointed out that according to information from the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, suicide deaths generally have been slowly increasing in Virginia since 1999, but there was a slight decrease in the number of suicide deaths from 2014 to 2015.

Patrick County had four suicides in 2011, five in 2012, nine in 2013, and four each in 2014 and 2015. Patrick County's suicide rate per 100,000 population was 21.8 per 100,000 in 2011, 27.1 in 2012 (more than twice Virginia's rate), 49.0 in 2013 (nearly four times Virginia's rate), 21.9 in 2014 and 22.2 in 2015.

Henry County had 12 suicides in 2011, nine each in 2012 and 2013, and 11 each in 2014 and 2015. Henry County's suicide rate was 22.3 per 100,000 population in 2011, 17.0 in 2012, 17.1 in 2013, 21.1 in 2014 and 21.2 in 2015.

Martinsville had three suicides in 2011, one in 2012, three in 2013, one in 2014 and three in 2015. Martinsville's suicide rate was 22.1 per 100,000 population in 2011, 7.3 in 2012, 21.8 in 2013, 7.3 in 2014 and 22.0 in 2015.

Hershey said that in Virginia in 2015, whites committed suicide at a rate 8.8 times that of Hispanics, 3.9 times that of Asians, 3.0 times that of blacks and 2.3 times that of Native Americans. Males were 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than females. The 2015 Office of Chief Medical Examiner Office report showed that 20 percent of suicide deaths were due to drug use and 5 percent were due to a combination of alcohol and drug use.

"There is no single cause of suicide," Hershey said. "Suicide-related behavior is complicated and rarely the result of a single source of trauma or stress. A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of suicide."

Risk factors, according to Hershey, include previous suicide attempt; history of depression or other mental illness; drug or alcohol abuse; family history of suicide or violence; feelings of isolation, hopelessness or loss (financial, work, social or relational); physical illness; religious or cultural beliefs (for example, belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma); and easy access to lethal methods (such as drugs or guns).

Hershey said other risk factors include barriers to accessing mental health treatment and unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to substance abuse and mental health disorders or to suicidal thoughts. Most people who engage in suicidal behavior never seek mental health services, studies have shown. Surviving the loss of a loved one to suicide also is a risk factor.

Factors that may help prevent suicide include "effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders; family and community support (connectedness); support from on-going medical and mental healthcare relationships; skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes; and cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation," Hershey said.

He also wanted to address bullying and suicide-related behavior.

"The bottom line of the most current research findings is that being involved in bullying in any way -- as a person who bullies, a person who is bullied, or a person who both bullies and is bullied -- is one of several important risk factors that appear to increase the risk of suicide among youth."

Piedmont Community Services Executive Director Greg Preston said that agency provides out-patient services, behavioral health counseling, prevention services, and emergency services to intervene with a person or family member who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide or have questions about available services.

"We have emergency services counselors available 24 hours per day," Hershey said. "Call CONTACT Listen Line, 1-877-934-3576. There is also a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273- TALK (8255), if you need to talk with someone. It is very important for us to continue to educate the community, to be familiar with warning signs to watch for, and factors that may increase the risk of suicide."

Piedmont offers training in mental health first aid, applied suicide intervention skills, signs of suicide and Safe Talk.

"These programs help people understand mental illness, how to better deal with someone who is experiencing a crisis, how to react to someone who is expressing suicidal thoughts and how to get help. Our goal is to get as many people trained as possible. We offer all of our trainings free of charge," Preston said.

For more information about these training opportunities contact Bonnie Favero at or Donna Ferguson at .

Piedmont plans to restart the Suicide Collaborative in Martinsville and Henry County this fall, Preston said.