Suicides rates are up in some parts of the Mahoning Valley.

From 2022 to 2023, Mahoning County saw 9 more suicides and Trumbull County saw 6 more. Current numbers from Columbiana County show a decrease of 1 suicide from 2022 to 2023 but 12 reports are still pending from the corner, so that number could change.

Mahoning County:

2022: 44 suicides

2023: 53 suicides

Trumbull County:

2022: 26 suicides

2023: 32 suicides

Columbiana County:

2022: 11 suicides

2023: 10* suicides

*12 reports still pending

 

For all three counties the majority of suicides were men.

”Males tend to use more lethal means, gunshots, things like that,” Jennifer Whitman, the Director of Outreach Columbiana Co. Mental Health & Recovery Board said. “Gun shot is the main means of suicide that we see in Columbiana County.”

Of the suicides last year, in Mahoning County 87% were men and in Trumbull County 72% were men. 

“Men tend to complete suicide more than women,” Duane Piccirilli, the Executive Director of the Mahoning Co. Mental Health & Recovery Board said. “Women tend to attempt more.”

Piccirilli said Mahoning County is seeing a rise in suicides from older white men, specifically veterans.

“Men are very good at masking their feelings and men will say they have physical issues, upset stomach, can’t sleep,” Piccirilli said. “Men will say they’re stressed and so men kind of conceal it … with television and the media and social media and all this stuff on war, it’ll trigger (veterans).” 

Signs of suicide people could look out for in family and friends include: personality changes, if someone jokes about suicide, giving away personal items that are important to them, sleeping more or less, and a change in eating habits. 

If the signs are recognized, experts say you can help by just taking the time to talk. 

“If you see somebody angry instead of thinking what’s wrong with that person you sorta think what's happened to that person,” Piccirilli said. “You just have to be more kind to individuals.”

“Just starting where that person is and being heard and being there and being not afraid to ask the question, ‘are you thinking about taking your own life or harming yourself?’” Lori Colian, the Director of treatment & supportive services Columbiana Mental Health & Recovery Board said “It's a hard question to ask but it’s an important question.” 

The Mahoning and Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Boards also have a LOSS program to help family members of those who have taken their lives.

“One of our volunteers could go to their house and sit and talk with the person, help them through the process, call the funeral home, they have to get a hold of family, make phone calls, so they can help you with that process,” Piccirilli said. 

“What we know is if you have a loved one that’s died by suicide it’s an increased risk factor for somebody,” Colian said. 

Piccirilli says suicides tend to spike in March and April so now is a good time to start checking in on friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.

Anyone struggling with mental health can call 211 and 988 to speak to someone.