Central Ohio organizations bring awareness to mental health resources

This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – May is mental health awareness month. As a way to bring awareness, local organizations held an event where community voices came together for suicide prevention. 

The hope is that by coming together, people can make a difference and support those who may be struggling. Organizers said that this event is an opportunity to have meaningful conversations and learn how residents can help prevent suicides in local communities. 

“We just want to bring a message of hope and resilience to the community and let people know that it's normal to struggle with mental health and there's nothing to be concerned about,” said Kristin Howard, communications director for Franklin County Public Health (FCPH).

On Friday, FCPH, as part of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition Spring Prevention Series, hosted this event. It featured a panel discussion, narcan administration and a ‘Stop the Bleed’ training. 

”Which is something that Franklin County Public Health has been training that they've been doing around the community for the last several years to stop any sort of traumatic injuries,” said Howard.

The training taught participants how to apply pressure and tourniquets to help save someone’s life before a trained medical professional can get there. 

According to leaders, you can use whatever you have available, it doesn’t have to be clean, it’s just important to grab whatever you can to help stop the bleeding.

Being that it’s mental health awareness month, leaders felt like this was the right time to bring awareness to this cause. 

“It's important, I think, just because so many people are struggling and it's an issue that I think people really don't feel comfortable talking about sometimes,” said Howard, “So, we just really want to bring awareness that we all have struggles and there are support resources out there and that we just need to reach out to each other to find the support systems.”

Organizers said that it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that there is help available.