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Appalachian Counties Lead Ohio in Suicide Rates
By: Benjamin Schwartz
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ATHENS (WOUB) — Suicide rates in Ohio are rising — and according to a recent study published by The Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health, nine out of the ten counties with the highest suicides rates in the state fall in Appalachia.
According to the study, Hocking County has the third highest suicide rate per 100,000 people in Ohio at 19.74. Also in Southeast Ohio, the two counties with higher rates are Jackson (19.86) and Meigs (21.46).
And with the surrounding counties experiencing similar numbers, Hocking County Coroner Dr. David Cummin says prevention is tough as situations tend to vary.
“Every case is so different. Even though you may have the same scenario, the circumstances are always different,” said Cummin. “So how you would be able to streamline the prevention aspect would be very difficult.”
In response to this increase however, Ohio based groups are working towards securing mental health services for residents across the state.
On Wednesday, members of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation testified at the Ohio Statehouse to urge legislators to include mental health funding for Ohio schools in the state’s upcoming budget plan.
According to executive director Tony Coder, as of now, Governor Mike DeWine’s proposed 2020 budget includes $675 million in funding for mental health services in Ohio schools. And while the proposed budget is seen as a step in the right direction, Coder says the real solution has to come locally.
“This can not come from Columbus, this has to be an effort that’s organized in Athens County,” said Coder, “What works in Athens County, what works in Morgan County, what works in Meigs County does not necessarily work in Cuyahoga County. So we have to also provide those culturally sensitive resources to organizations so that they can make a plan.”
As of now, Ohio’s budget for 2020-2021 has passed in the state House of Representatives and is awaiting approval from the state Senate. An official budget plan is expected to be approved next month.