Official shares suicide prevention tips at Rotary meeting
Trending
LEWISTOWN -- Lisa Bollinger Miller of the Juniata Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission attended the Lewistown Rotary Club's first meeting of the month Tuesday to share information on suicide prevention.
According to Bollinger Miller, suicide is among the leading causes of death in Pennsylvania.
The suicide and crisis lifeline number is 988 for help with mental health, suicide or substance abuse problems; you can call or text 988 any time of day.
Bollinger Miller said that some signs to watch for include someone talking about death or suicide, or someone experiencing self-destructive behavior like abusing alcohol or drugs.
Those experiencing these or other signs should call or text the hotline at 988 or reach out to trusted individuals.
Bollinger Miller added that rage, anxiety and withdrawing from others are also signs of someone considering suicide and should be acknowledged when you notice those signs in someone.
Bollinger Miller said that a huge myth about suicide is that asking someone about suicide will give them the idea; she added that this myth is not true, as well as another myth that only those with mental health conditions are the only ones susceptible to suicidal thoughts.
"Suicide doesn’t discriminate," Bollinger Miller said.
A way you can show your support and end the stigma is by attending an annual suicide prevention walk slated for Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
The Shatter the Silence suicide prevention walk will be held rain or shine at Kish Park in Derry Township. Registration opens at noon, and the walk runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Lewistown Rotary Club meets next at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at J P Edwards Grill and Bar in Burnham.