Tuscarawas County Health Commissioner Katie Seward
During a Thursday press conference, the Tuscarawas County Health Department, ADAMH’s Board, Tuscarawas County Coroner, and the sheriff joined to release data that showed in 2024, the county had 19 suicides.
Coroner Jeff Cameron says the concern is the high rate with 2022 seeing a total of 18 suicides, 2023 had 13, which accounted for 10 men both years and women eight and three respectively.
“We’ve also been seeing a shift toward the male gender. 23 of our last 23 suicides in this county have been male. In 2024 every one of them was male. So far this we’ve had four, all male.”
Tuscarawas Health Department Commissioner Katie Seward says there are some notable risk factors.
“The majority or 67% of our deaths experience marital strife or a recent declining health diagnosis. 43% or 3 out of 7 suicide deaths among our residents were suffering from a recent domestic strife. That could mean a break-up, a divorce, a separation.”
ADAMH’s Board Director Natalie Bollon says a concerning trend is age, specifically men over 50.
“With a really high number of our deaths being men over 70. We are looking as a subcommittee at how can we reach them. Another example is Ohio released, about 18 months, Man Therapy Ohio, which is a very no threatening way that Ohio would like to encourage men to pursue any information related to mental help or substance use.”
A local initiative, starting April 2nd, from 9am to 10am, is inviting men over 50 to the Tuscarawas County Senior Center for Waypoint, a program to build connections, relationships, and have a good time.
Health Commissioner Seward adds part of releasing suicide rate data is to raise awareness and spur a message of hope.
“I can’t imagine being in a position where despair and grief and sadness was so overwhelming that the only way out is death, and so we want people to recognized that if they are experiencing that they are not alone, they don’t have to go through it alone, and there is always a way out.”
Sheriff Campbell adds being the person to reach out is key in letting someone who is struggling know that they are not alone.
“Even though all of our stress and difficulties aren’t the same we all feel it. I don’t have the data but I have a lot of experience with tragedy and it’s something we need to address as a whole. Do not feel like you’re a failure or unique in that fact, just don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Ohio’s 24/7 crisis line is 988. The local crisis number is 330-343-1811.
Other local resources can be found at www.adamhtc.org.
Check out the links below for TCHD videos raising awareness:
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