E ach year, the National Alliance of Mental Illness sets September aside as Suicide Prevention Month.

Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss. Its very mention can make people uncomfortable.

Years, or decades ago, the prevailing thought was that talking about suicide openly would encourage others to think of it as a viable “way out” of difficult situations or as an end to inner struggles.

Yet NAMI sets the upcoming month aside to remind us that silence, not conversation, is far more dangerous for those suffering in silence.

Ellsworth County entities acknowledge the danger of silence and once again are bringing the “Fight 4 the Light” event to Ellsworth.

We applaud both K-State Research and Extension’s Midway District and the Ellsworth Co-op for co-sponsoring the glow run/walk. Last year was the inaugural year for the event, and we fully support the return of this event. We hope the Sept. 20 event continues to be an annual one.

It is our hope the presence of this event in our community provides an opportunity to discuss suicide openly. For those who have loved and lost ones by suicide, but also for those who struggle with the overwhelm that can be daily life.

These losses are never easy, and the vacancies left, at least in my family, span from one generation to the next.

In a March 25 post, The World Health Organization said more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year. Death by suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.

The article further states: “Stigma, particularly surrounding mental disorders and suicide, means many people thinking of taking their own life or who have attempted suicide are not seeking help and are therefore not getting the help they need.”

Resources are available, and we encourage you to learn signs, including withdrawing from friends or family, taking excessive risks, being excessively irritable, or talk about feeling hopeless. Resources, such as seizetheawkward.org or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp.org.

If you would like more information or resources about Suicide Prevention Month, please visit nami. org/suicidepreventionmonth.

If you or someone you love is struggling, you may text “NAMI” to 62640 or call 800-950-6264. A crisis line is also available via call or chat at 988.

Karen Bonar Publisher