During the 10th Annual Suicide Prevention Symposium, Charlotte Arrowsmith from the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence highlighted that 54% of young adults who die by suicide had no previously diagnosed mental health conditions. Arrowsmith emphasized that stigma surrounding suicide often prevents individuals from seeking help. “Stigma silences the conversations,” she stated, noting progress in promoting mental health discussions but pointing out ongoing barriers that make these topics seem taboo.
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MJ Kirby from the South Mississippi Mental Health Center reported a concerning trend of younger children expressing suicidal thoughts, attributing it to increased digital interactions but diminishing human connections. She shared a startling example, recounting that children as young as kindergarten are coming into their facility with severe mental health crises. “I'm absolutely blown away that every week during school three to four little children, from third grade down to kindergarten, come into our facility,” Kirby said, describing the need for urgent assessments.
Kirby recounted a recent case where a kindergartner typed into a Chromebook, “how do I tell my mother I want to kill myself?” She stressed the importance of teaching children about available support systems and breaking down social barriers to encourage those in distress to seek help. She suggested that listening without judgment could significantly aid children facing mental health challenges.
The symposium included various organizations, such as Shephearst Meadows, Merit Health Behavioral Services, Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services, and NAMI of Mississippi, among others, presenting resources for mental health support. Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health crises can reach out for assistance by calling or texting the 988-suicide hotline, with additional resources available on the Mississippi Department of Mental Health website.