Acting together, We Can Help Prevent Suicide
In Louisville, we are losing too many lives to suicide— and the data from our recent Suicide Fatality Report 1 makes that heartbreakingly clear.
From 2020 to 2023, nearly 80 % of suicide deaths in our community were among men. That’ s a sharp increase from 67 % in 2019. Over half of all deaths involved a firearm. And deaths among Black and Hispanic / Latino individuals have more than doubled in recent years.
These numbers are not just statistics. They are fathers, daughters, coworkers, neighbors: people who matter deeply to someone. People who should still be here.
Suicide is a complex public health issue, but it is also preventable. That’ s why Louisville Metro Government, in collaboration with the Coroner’ s Office, the County Attorney and community partners from higher education, mental and behavioral health and primary health care are working to understand the patterns behind these tragedies and find ways to intervene before it’ s too late.
Here’ s what we’ ve learned— and what we must do.
Men are at increased risk. We need targeted outreach and support, especially in male-dominated industries like construction, transportation and manufacturing, where suicide rates are higher.
Over half of suicides involved firearms. Safe storage saves lives. Lock up all guns.
Suicide affects more than the individual. Nearly a third of cases involved someone else present at the time of death or immediately after. These witnesses, often family or friends, are at increased risk and need support. Survivors of attempted suicide need support. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support to anyone and is available 24 / 7 / 365 via call, text or chat in English and Spanish. Counselors who speak other languages are also available.
Racial disparities are growing. Deaths among Black and Hispanic / Latino individuals have surged. Prevention efforts must be culturally responsive and community driven.
Everyone in our community has a role to play. You can learn lots more at the Zero Suicide website. 2 by Inder Singal, MD, & Connie Mendel
Healthcare providers: Adopt a comprehensive approach to prevention, such as the Zero Suicide framework. This framework acknowledges that a vast majority of people who die by suicide visit their providers within a year of their death. It provides guidance on universal screening to identify patients at risk. The free Zero Suicide toolkit can be found online at https:// zerosuicide. edc. org / toolkit / zero-suicide-toolkit. Your electronic health record can be set to provide a prompt to inquire about risk / thoughts of suicide.
Business and community leaders: Offer suicide prevention training like QPR( Question, Persuade, Refer) or Mental Health First Aid to employees. Make mental health resources visible and accessible.
All residents: Learn the warning signs. According to the National Institute of Mental Health 3 some signs a person could be thinking about suicide include talking about wanting to die or being a burden to others, feeling empty or hopeless and as if there’ s no reason to live or changes in behaviors such as eating or sleeping more or less, using drugs or alcohol more often or withdrawing from friends or family.
Talk openly about mental health. Support loved ones who may be struggling. Share the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Get involved: Visit afsp. org / chapter / kentucky to learn more about suicide prevention or volunteer. Explore ky988data. org for real-time data and resources. We have a listing of local community mental health resources and services at www. louisvilleky. gov.
Every person matters. Help is available. And together, we can prevent suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach trained counselors 24 / 7. You are not alone.
References:
1
Suicide Fatality Report. https:// louisvilleky. gov / sites / default / files / 2025-09 / SFR _ Report _ 080725. pdf
2
Zero Suicide. https:// zerosuicide. edc. org /
3
National Institute of Mental Health. https:// www. nimh. nih. gov /
Dr. Singal is the Executive Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Connie Mendel is the director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist for the city.
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