ATLANTIC, IA- September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Cass County Health System’s Senior Life Solutions team is working to raise awareness. On August 30, 2019, the Cass County Board of Supervisors proclaimed September to be Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month for all of Cass County. Karmen Roland, RN, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions, says “We are very fortunate to have the support of the supervisors on this proclamation. Mental health is a vital part of everyone’s overall health. The more that we can talk about it, the more we can encourage loved ones to seek help, then the healthier our communities and families can be. This proclamation recognizes that mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our communities, and that all of us have a role to play in promoting mental wellness and preventing suicide.”

Senior Life Solutions provides life-changing care through an intensive outpatient group counseling program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults typically age 65 and older struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions often related to aging. Anyone can make a referral to Senior Life Solutions. Call 712-250-8100 for more information.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 129 deaths by suicide occur per day on average, and there are an estimated 1,400,000 attempted suicides per year.  Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also connect with the Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message, by texting 741741.