Suicides and Suicidal Threats Keep Baldwin County First Responders Busy
GULF SHORES Ala.
August 11, 2024
By: Rick McCann
This past week saw many mental health crises playing out in small cities and rural areas in the heart of Baldwin County.
Threats, attempts, and successful suicides occurred at all hours of the day and night in many parts of the area sending first responders into scenes that many are not prepared for.
In the afternoon hours on Tuesday, the Baldwin County 911 communication center received a call about a person shot on Sandy Lane in the Barnwell community.
While sheriff deputies were rushing to the scene, Barnwell volunteer firefighters quickly responded and without any hesitation, rushed into the home, putting their own lives on the line.
There, in the kitchen, they found a man faced down suffering from gunshot wounds, and immediately tried to render aid.
Similar suicide threats and attempts were also seen in Daphne and other parts of the county and these calls are trending up.
During the fiscal year 2022-2023, there were 50 suicides, according to the Baldwin County Coroner’s Office and this year could surpass that.
“We’ve seen an uptick, and we had been pretty steady at about 40 for several years,” said Coroner Dr. Brian Pierce. “If you go back and look at our annual report, we’d always average right around the 40 mark on suicides each year.”
During the Blue RAM Media investigation, we found that the majority of all suicides were committed with firearms and intentional drug overdoses. But another method of suicide is on the rise and that is hangings.
Those who have committed suicides during the past eighteen months ranged in age from teens to the elderly.
AltaPointe covers mental health care in Baldwin County. The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is located in Mobile. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric crisis may go to the center for help with serious mental illness or substance abuse issues. You can also call 251-662-8000.
Anyone in Alabama can also call 988 to be connected with a crisis counselor.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) opted into the national program to help quickly connect those in need with special resources in their area. The state also utilizes a mobile crisis unit program to help those in rural areas.
However, one of the biggest components that is missing in Baldwin County is a 24-hour Emergency Crises/Mental Health Response Team. This team would be staffed around the clock with specially trained clinicians and medical professionals to respond to mental health crisis calls and suicidal threats.
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