April 7, 2025 3:30 a.m.

Seeing a large increase in suicides in the local community recently, staff with Adapt Integrated Health Care are providing resources.

An Adapt release said suicide is a serious public health issue that affects individuals, families and entire communities. 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, provides free confidential support 24/7 to anyone in distress. Additionally, Adapt offers a local crisis team to provide immediate help and ongoing support to those in need.

Adapt Crisis Program Director Cheryl McDonald said, “Asking for help when you’re struggling, depressed or having thoughts of suicide means gathering courage, setting aside fear of judgement and trusting that someone else can help”. McDonald said, “It also takes courage to be a supportive and caring listener to someone who is thinking of suicide”.

In addition to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Adapt offers comprehensive local crisis support for individuals experiencing mental health distress. Services include:

*24-Hour Crisis Line

*Mental Health Evaluation and Intervention

*Treatment Determination

*Referral to Mental Health Services and Community Resources

For more information on suicide prevention resources that are available from Adapt, go to: https://adaptoregon.org/news/news/suicide-prevention-resources-available/

Adapt Crisis Team Case Manager Doug Walton will be on Inside Douglas County Tuesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN to talk more about the issue of suicide and the help that is available.