Suicide Prevention Month: How to check on those around you

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - September is Suicide Prevention Month, dedicated to sharing resources and awareness about suicide and those affected by it. Suicide prevention can take many forms, including keeping prescriptions and personal firearms in lockboxes. It can also mean noticing changes in friends, co-workers, or family members and asking them if they are OK. Dalton Chronister, Zero Suicide Project director at Centerstone, said asking directly can make a difference. 'It never hurts to ask directly. People sometimes hint that they're struggling. Sometimes people will come out and say it. But if you ask directly, you force that conversation to happen. Where you're both letting them know, I care. And I want the honest answer. I want to be able to help you,' Chronister said. The suicide help line, 988, connects people anytime with a mental health professional. To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.