Community coalition spreading word about suicide prevention

According to the World Health Organization, one person kills themselves every 40 seconds.

Recently, the Yuma Community Suicide Prevention Coalition was created to provide free resources and support for those contemplating or having suicidal thoughts.

Wesley Lore became a member of the local coalition because as a child, his uncle committed suicide while serving in the military.

To this day, Lore remembers how guilty his family felt because their loved one didn’t feel comfortable enough to talk to them about his suicidal thoughts.

Lore said, ” It devastated my family because it was what if, it was what could I have done? It was a lot of if I could have done something. If I could have caught it. I think that’s why we’re here. We’re here to make it easier and to provide knowledge and information for the community so that they can call. ”

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day and Lore suggests the community take small steps to prevent someone from taking their own life.

That could be checking in on someone who you think might be going through hard times and be kind to them.

Without judgment, ask if they’re having suicidal thoughts.

The local crisis hotline (1-866- 495-6735) is available 24 hours a day.

There’s also a mobile crisis team in Yuma that will come out to help anyone dealing with a mental emergency.