Soul of the Blues

 

ATLANTA, GA – July 20, 2022 – Most everyone knows to call 9-1-1 if they need immediate help during a medical emergency; however, most people don’t know who to contact quickly if they or a loved one needs help during a mental health crisis. A new three-digit phone number, 9-8-8, will route callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This was formerly called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and reachable through a 10-digit number. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a leader of suicide prevention and mental health crisis care through a national network of more than 200 crisis centers staffed by trained counselors. It provides free and confidential emotional support to Americans, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Many studies have shown, that after speaking with a counselor, people who call the Lifeline feel much better, more hopeful, less suicidal, less depressed and less overwhelmed.

A shorter easy-to-remember phone number can make counseling more accessible and save lives. When police officers are dispatched to a 9-1-1 call, they may not have the expertise to respond to a mental health situation like a highly skilled counselor has in dealing with suicide prevention. Brad Kennedy, chief operating officer at an addiction and mental health rehabilitation center in Texas, as told to USA Today, feels that a shorter number can make all the difference “not just for individuals experiencing suicidality, but for loved ones who are less likely to recall complex numbers during emotional distress.”

The 9-8-8 hotline change is a positive step that should result in a larger volume of calls. However, it is felt that the crisis centers may not be able to handle more telephone calls because of limited funding and resources. Therefore, more funding will be needed to provide more staff, more training, and more resources to meet this growing need.

 

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Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ATLANTA, GA – July 20, 2022 – A suicide is a death caused by a self-inflicted injury with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is also caused by a self-inflicted injury with the intent to die but does not result in death. Many factors can increase a person’s suicide risk such as child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence. Suicide is a leading cause of death and a serious public health problem.

Some facts about suicide (from 2020 data):

• Over 1 million people attempted suicide and almost 46 thousand people died as a result.
• It’s the 9^th leading cause of death for people ages 10-64 and the 2^nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
• Rates are higher in the non-Hispanic Native American/Native Alaskan group, the non-Hispanic White group, males, persons aged 85 and older, veterans, people who live in rural areas, miners, construction workers, and persons who identify as LGBT.
• Firearms are used in more than 50% of suicides.
• Rates are lower in North Carolina (13.2 per 100,000) than nationally (13.5 per 100,000)
• In 2018, rates were 50% higher in Buncombe County than in North Carolina

The impact of suicide and suicide attempts can result in serious emotional, physical and economic harm. People who attempt suicide and survive may have long-term health problems like depression and serious physical injuries. Family and friends of persons who die by suicide may develop mental health concerns. The economic affect from suicide and nonfatal suicide attempts was estimated in 2019 to cost the nation $490 billion in medical costs, work loss, quality of life and value of life.

A comprehensive public health approach can result in suicide prevention. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors have been shown to decrease with having easy access to health care, a supportive family and community support.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – July 27, 2022 – The CDC reports that the risk level for Buncombe County is medium for the week ending July 21^st. For a community at a medium risk level, the CDC recommends:

• Wear a mask on public transportation.
• You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
• If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on July 16^th indicate:

• There have been 199 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days up from 192 cases from the previous week.
• 66% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. This is unchanged for over 4 months.
• 65% of people with their full primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged over the past 2 weeks.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 58 and has increased by 9% since last week and of ICU patients is 7 and unchanged since the previous week.
• Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for the Metropolitan Sewer District for Buncombe County is severely increasing for the time period ending July 13^th. The CDC website reports mildly decreasing for the time period ending July 18^th.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
• People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

• The risk level may rise with a new variant
• A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
• Mask wearing is recommended for persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19
• Effective May 4, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour