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Ohio Launches Suicide Prevention Initiative

At the podium, Denise Meine-Graham whose son died by suicide (Andy Chow / Statehouse Bureau)

The state has launched a suicide prevention initiative, which takes on the issue from several angles from raising awareness to training. Statehouse reporter Andy Chow has more.

The $2 million effort expands intervention access for college students, raises awareness about the signs of possible suicide, and creates a crisis hotline.

Denise Meine-Graham of Worthington shared her son’s story, he died by suicide in 2012. She says there’s a very important step to take for friends and family who think a loved one might be thinking about ending his or her own life.

Meine-Graham: “If someone’s not acting quite right, you’re concerned about them for whatever reason don’t be afraid to ask, ‘are you having thoughts of suicide?’ We have to be comfortable asking that question.”

The state also launched a website to help in the effort: it’s SuicidePrevention.Ohio.gov.