EDITORIAL: Reversing a troubling suicide trend in Baker County

Published 1:06 pm Saturday, June 22, 2024

The number is small as a proportion of the population but in another sense it is massive.

Seven people have completed suicide in Baker County in 2024.

And the year isn’t quite half over.

That equals the toll in 2023 (three) and 2022 (four) combined.

And it exceeds the lives lost in 2021 (five) and 2020 (four).

Suicide is, of course, an intensely personal topic.

And a complicated one.

But we are not powerless to help our loved ones who might contemplate ending their lives.

Haley Hueckman and Jenny Blair, co-chairs for the Baker County Safe Communities Coalition, said coalition members focused on suicide during their May meeting.

Among the resources available is the 988 Lifeline, a free telephone service, available at all times, that offers confidential support to anyone in emotional distress.

Hueckman pointed out that people who aren’t in distress, but who are worried about a friend or relative, can also call 988.

Another option is to text 988 or start a chat at 988Lifeline.org.

New Directions Northwest in Baker City also has a crisis line available 24 hours a day, at 541-519-7126.

Hueckman also talked about warning signs of suicide that people should be aware of, including threats of suicide, previous attempts, alcohol and drug abuse, sudden changes in behavior, prolonged depression and giving away prized possessions.

She is also trained to teach QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. This approach aims to “identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care,” according to a resource guide, and was developed by Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.

There are, sadly, no guarantees in this topic.

But the more people who are aware of warning signs and of resources available for people in distress, the better chance we have of reversing the trend that marked the first half of 2024.

— Jayson Jacoby, Baker City Herald editor