BeWellVA.com provides resources for suicide prevention 

While COVID-19 has dominated the news, mental health agencies throughout Central Virginia are collaborating on an initiative to raise awareness of another health crisis that has been surging during the pandemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, ranking it the nation’s 10th leading cause of death. These numbers represent a 35-percent increase since 1999.

Throughout National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 6-12) and the month of September (National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month), BeWellVA wants to call attention to its easy-to-use resources for finding out how to help others who may be considering suicide.

Created through a collaboration with Central Virginia’s seven Community Services Boards, the BeWellVA.com site offers connections for getting help, learning more about mental health and suicide prevention, and accessing specialized resources for active duty military and veterans. The initiative focuses not only on bringing awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide, but also on promoting wellness for life.

Anyone with thoughts of suicide should call 1-800-273-TALK for immediate help.