The Breaking Through Task Force has partnered with The Saving Lives Task Force, Be Resilient OBX and Dare County Department of Health & Human Services to promote suicide awareness and education. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and throughout the month stories will be shared of individuals who have been impacted by suicide.
“We know that suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Dare County,” commented Kelly Nettnin, Breaking Through Task Force Co-Chair. “Dare County’s death rate for suicide is 44% higher than the rate for North Carolina. While the death rate has decreased by 3.14% since our last Community Health Needs Assessment, we still have opportunities for improvement. ”
This project will include social media outreach and a documentary style video focusing on the impacts of suicide in Dare County. The documentary will be aired at a special town hall event in September.
“Our team looked into opportunities for guest speakers for this town hall event and ultimately decided the most important objective is recognizing what is going on in our community,” commented Roxana Ballinger, Saving Lives Task Force Co-Chair. “A documentary seemed like the best way to help people understand how lives are impacted by suicide in Dare County.”
The documentary will also be available on YouTube, social media, local TV, and websites. If you elect to participate, you do not have to be on camera; we can share your story anonymously and/or through social media postings.
“We are looking for brave individuals who are willing to share their stories and experiences,” Nettnin continued. “This could be a loved one who died by suicide or someone who has had suicidal attemps or ideations.”
Individuals who are interested in participating and sharing their story, can fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/K5KxKAis3UoKh7Vr5. If you wish to participate in the documentary, be sure to include your contact information. You may participate anonymously by sharing your story without listing your name or contact information on the form.
If you have any questions about this project please contact Kelly Nettnin at 252.475.5036 or kelly.nettnin@darenc.com.