Suicide Prevention Resources

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – United Way’s 211 hotline is not just for clothing, food, and financial assistance. It’s also used for suicide prevention resources.

United Way of Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan Counties Community Impact Director, Becky Clawson said there has been 24 calls placed for suicide attempts and threats this year, which has tripled since two years ago.

“This year in Muskingum County according to our local suicide prevention coalition and Dr. Vicki Whitacre at the [Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department], we’ve had three suicides here in Muskingum County so far this year,” Clawson said. “So we want to make sure that this resource is in the hands of the people who need it.”

United Way of Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan Counties offers suicide prevention resources through Allwell Behavioral Health Services and Muskingum offers Genesis Healthcare System as a second resource.

“Calls to 211 first of all can be anonymous, now as I mentioned before they would like to call back especially with these crisis response calls just to make sure that individual got connected,” said Clawson.

The Crisis Response Specialists are trained for 40 hours on the Switzer Model and Asist Training, which is recommended by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. So they may better assist any person who calls in.

Clawson said people can also access the 211 data base on unitedwayofmpm.org and get information on suicide prevention programs locally.