EDITORIAL: Raising awareness on suicide prevention

Nov. 8—Sadly, reports of people taking their lives at Niagara Falls State Park have been something of a regular occurrence here for decades.

Two recent incidents over the course of the past week or so are also a reminder that we as a society need to make sure that those struggling with mental health issues know there are many places they can go to for help.

"Never believe that, in your pain, you are alone," Bacon Memorial Pastor Lisa Giacomazza told attendees of a vigil this past Friday. "Coming together in moments like these helps us build connections and community. It's these connections that give us support and help us find the love we need in our most desperate times."

The candlelight vigil drew an estimated 200 people to honor the lives of Chaianti Means and her two children. Means, 33, of the Falls and her son Roman Rossman, 9, and her daughter Mecca Means, 5 months are presumed dead after they plunged over the brink of the falls on Oct. 28 in what investigators have called an incident that was "intentional in nature."

"Due to information, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is a tougher answer," New York State Trooper James O'Callaghan, a State Police public information officer said during a press conference the next day.

We'll also likely never know why a woman entered the upper rapids above the Horseshoe Falls on Wednesday afternoon and wasn't seen again despite a search of the lower Niagara Gorge by New York State Park Police.

The incidents aren't the fault of Niagara Falls State Park which has installed emergency crisis hotline phones in and around Goat Island in recent years. It's a much larger, societal issue.

Suicide is the second largest cause of death for New Yorkers between the ages of 25 and 34, and the third largest cause of death between the ages of 10 and 24. The CDC numbers for 2022 show New York had a total of 1,765 suicides, whose 8.5 deaths per 100,000 people is the third lowest in the country.

Here in Niagara County, Niagara County Crisis Services says it's responding to roughly 2,500 calls a month and added staff earlier this year to deal with the high volume of calls. In addition to 988, Niagara County Crisis Services has a direct number — 716-285-3515.

Sometimes those suffering don't seek out help. It's important for all of us to remain vigilant and if you supect someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.

We continue to strongly urge anyone with desperate thoughts to seek help and know that it is available at 988 or 716-285-3515.

If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org .

You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

There are people who do care and yes, you do matter.