What ages?
The age categories with largest numbers of suicides from 2015 through 2018 were 33-44, accounting for 22 percent (35 deaths); 55-64, with 18.9 percent (30 deaths); the two categories of 25-32 and 45-54, with 18.2 percent (29 deaths each); 65-74, with 5.7 percent (9 deaths); and the age groups of 15-17, 18-20 and 75-84, each with 3.8 percent (six deaths each).
What methods?
Gunshots accounted for 53.5 percent of suicide deaths (85 of them), followed by hanging at 25.1 percent (40 deaths), intentional drug overdoses at 3.8 percent (6 deaths), and carbon monoxide poisoning at 3.1 percent (five deaths). Other means of suicide accounted for 14.5 percent, or 23 deaths.
When do they happen?
The most common months for suicides in that four-year period were September, with 19 deaths; January and June, each with 18 deaths; and December, with 17. The month with lowest deaths was October, with seven.
Compared to homicides
Depending on the year, Butler County people are between 2.7 times and 4 times more likely to die from suicide than from homicide.
Where are they happening?
Communities with largest number of suicides in those four years were Hamilton (31), Fairfield/Fairfield Township (28), Middletown (27), West Chester/Liberty townships (27), Morgan Township (5), Trenton (4), Oxford (4), Hanover Township (4).
How to get help
People considering suicide, or wanting help fighting any type of drug or alcohol addiction, can call the Butler County Crisis and Heroin Hope Line at 844-427-4747.
How you can help
People interested in bringing suicide-preventing training called QPR to their workplace, school, church or civic group can call Kristen Smith at 513-407-2028 or email ksmith@envisionpartnerships.com. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer (people to help). The free classes last 90 minutes.
Individuals wanting QPR training can attend a class 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Butler County Educational Service Center, 400 N. Erie Blvd. Ste A, Hamilton, OH 45011. To register, contact Lauren Perry at perryl@bcesc.org or (513) 785-6770
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