Local

Former Charlotte mayor brings awareness during Suicide Prevention Month

CHARLOTTE — Depression and anxiety screenings have increased from 8% to 12% locally since the start of the pandemic.

Experts said bringing awareness to Suicide Prevention Month couldn’t have come sooner.

Former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts has a personal message from her family to the community after losing her nephew, Jacob, to death by suicide.

“One thing we can do as a community is to tell people that it’s OK to not be OK,” Roberts said.

There were no signs or warnings of Jacob’s state of mind, she said.

Jacob was an 18-year-old senior at Hough High School and seemed to have everything. He was athletic, well-liked and had a loving family.

>>Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 get more information at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

“He was the kind of young man that kept things to himself, at least anything sensitive,” Roberts said. “He didn’t talk about that.”

Roberts said she wants to put a voice and a face to this growing concern as more people find themselves in a similar crisis.

Roberts said asking for help is a sign of strength and people should approach others if they need help.

“We have to not be afraid to get into someone’s private space, right?” Roberts said.

She hopes that sharing Jacob’s story will help save lives.

“We hope that other people will have the courage to seek help and to ask their friends, Have you thought about hurting yourself? Are you depressed? Do you want to talk to me? Do you want to talk to a professional?’ Ask the question,” Roberts said.

Mental Health America of Central Carolinas offers a free virtual suicide prevention course on Thursdays. It gives everyday citizens the skills and tools to help save a life.

“With stressors from COVID, economic stress, mental health stress, kids at home, employment issues,” said Ericka Ellis-Stewart, who is with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas.

She said stress levels are through the roof.

“Add on top of that, racial injustice,” Ellis-Stewart said.

For many people, it’s overwhelming, she said.

“It was reported that an over 800% jump in calls to the suicide prevention hotline at the national level has occurred,” Ellis-Stewart said. “So, we know just because of these stressors, people are feeling more hopeless and possibly having more suicidal ideation.”

Information related to health insurance and non-immediate mental health services can be found here.

Anyone who wants to be able to spot warning signs of mental illness in others can find a list of possible warning signs here.

More information about mental health and resources for where to get help can be found at mentalhealth.gov.