Suicide Prevention
If you think suicide does not impact you or our community, think again, Ely Fire Department has responded to several suicides over the years of our friends and neighbors. USA Today reported that 127 firefighters and 116 police officers died by suicide in 2020, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that fights for the rights of people with disabilities. On average, one person dies of suicide every 18 hours in the state of Iowa. Last year Foundation 2 (Crisis Services) received 5,707 suicide related calls and chats. Working together, we can curve the number of suicides in our communities. To get more involved or learn more, attend a Foundation 2 Crisis Services training. https://www.foundation2.org/services/trainings/ If you hear someone talking or joking about it, talk to them or have them call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis…