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Suicide-related calls up; what's the answer?

Sauk Valley Newspapers - 1/6/2017

DIXON ? The irony of the most wonderful time of the year correlating with an uptick in suicide-related reports is not one that's lost on mental health professionals.

Sometimes, though, the reasons aren't as obvious, nor are the symptoms.

On Tuesday, a crisis prevention team made up of Lee County agencies met to tackle tough topics in search of the answers to questions surrounding mental illness, depression and suicide, and a recent increase in reports of suicide-related activity.

Law enforcement agencies, the State's Attorney's Office, KSB Hospital, Sinnissippi Centers, Lee County Health Department and the National Alliance on Mental Illness are working to identify red flags, such as people not showing up to appointments, not taking medications, and showing a noticeable deterioration in their condition.

"[Mental illness] should be considered an illness like diabetes," said Cathy Ferguson, administrator for the Lee County Health Department and member of PRISM of Lee County.

Lee County Sheriff John Simonton said callers reporting suicide-related activity are getting younger, adding that the generational gap could be the cause. He said young people expecting more out of life sooner can slip into depression ? or further into it ? when things don't work out as quickly as they'd hoped.

Fortunately, the number of suicides haven't increased along with the number of calls, according to both the Lee and Whiteside County coroners.

Simonton said the holidays could be behind the rise of calls, and that symptoms of depression and anxiety can increase because of factors such as others' heartwarming and happy social media posts, or the financial strain of not being able to provide gifts.

Mary Brokaw, president of the local NAMI chapter, said the risk of suicide increases 50 percent for people suffering from depression, and noted that 90 percent of people who commit suicide have at least one mental disorder.

Another big reason for a high volume of mental illness-related issues is that there is not enough room to treat patients. Brokaw said the recommendation is to have 50 beds per 100,000 people; in Illinois, there are 9.5 beds per 100,000 people.

The next steps, according to Ferguson and Brokaw, include expanding treatment facilities in the area and lowering the incarceration rate of people affected mental illness and incorporating them into society. The biggest hurdle, they said, is getting the community aware of mental illness and the issues people suffering from it face.

Ferguson said a large part of the problem is fixing the stigma surrounding mental illness, and that people should not be afraid to seek help. PRISM plans to host a community forum in the spring to work toward that end.

"We've come a long way, but there is more work to be done," Ferguson said.

WHERE TO FIND HELP

? Under the Lee County Safe Passage Initiative, addicts can seek help contacting Dixon Police Chief Danny Langloss at ddlangloss@dixonpd.com or 815-288-4411, Lee County Sheriff John Simonton at 815-284-6631, or any Lee or Whiteside County police agency.

? PRISM of Lee County is a nonprofit organization concerned with all types of drug abuse, as well as mental heath issues. Among other things, tax-deductible donations and funds from court fines and drug asset forfeitures help pay transportation and other costs associated with the Safe Passage initiative. Donations can be sent to the Lee County Health Department, 309 S. Galena Ave. Suite 100, Dixon, IL 61021, attention PRISM of Lee County. Find it on Facebook or call 815-284-3371 for more information.

? Safe Passage Support of Sauk Valley is an information-sharing Facebook site "created to support public health and policing initiatives for a more compassionate community response to substance use disorders and issues." Go there for news releases about the local Safe Passage program, and postings of news, features, benefits and other items related to addiction and recovery.

? In an attempt to reduce the risk of overdose and infections, the Lee County Health Department, 309 S. Galena Ave., provides the opioid overdose antidote naloxone, and training in how to use it, free of charge to anyone who asks for it. It also has a free and legal syringe exchange program, free cookers, alcohol pads and cotton, free hepatitis C and HIV testing, and help with health care and treatment referrals. More information on its Protecting Our Community program is available at contactus@lchd.com or 815-284-3371.

? Safe Harbor holds a community recovery group at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Annex building, 101 W. Second St., Dixon. Anyone battling addiction or alcohol issues are welcome, as are any family members, loved ones or friends impacted abuse. Call Stacey at 815-973-3516 or Greg at 908-361-7924 for more information.

? The Whiteside County Sheriff's Department

? Sinnissippi Centers, a behavioral health center with offices in Dixon, Sterling, Oregon, Mount Carroll and Rochelle, offers a variety of mental health counseling services, addiction programs and treatment options, and also can provide information on various support groups available at Sinnissippi and around the area. It takes private insurance and Medicaid, and payments are based on income. It also has a 24-hour crisis line: 800-242-7642.

? The Lee County We Care Substance Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 866-494-4431. Users struggling with addiction, or family members of addicts, can speak to someone in recovery, and also get information on area treatment centers and group meetings.

? The Community Recovery Group, a Safe Harbor program for addicts, alcoholics, their family and friends, meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Town Square Centre, 101 W. Second St. in Dixon. Call Alison at 815-994-1953 or Greg at 908-361-7924, email safeharborlc@yahoo.com or find Safe Harbor on Facebook for more information.

? In addition, through the Good Samaritan Law, if people are using drugs together and someone overdoses, they can call 911 and seek emergency assistance without the fear of arrest or prosecution for possession of personal-use drugs and drug equipment. The law defines personal use as less than 3 grams of heroin.

If you have talents or skills to offer, would like to assist financially, or would like additional information, you also can contact Langloss, Simonton, or Lee County Health Department Administrator Cathy Ferguson at contactus@lchd.com or 815-284-3371.