In response to a growing concern over suicide rates in Summit County, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board, and the Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition are hosting a Hope in Ohio: Community Conversation on Suicide Prevention event to raise awareness, share critical resources, and develop a collective action plan to prevent suicide. Members of the public are invited to attend the free event on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Pavilion located at 2085 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.

“Every Ohioan can play a role in reducing suicide in our communities simply by talking about mental health,” said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. “Every time we remind someone that they are not alone, and that help is available, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and spread hope. Together, we can save lives.”

The event will feature remarks from local officials and community leaders, with attendees encouraged to share their insights on local suicide prevention priorities through a post-event Summit County assessment.

“Any life lost to suicide is one too many,” said Aimee Wade, County of Summit ADM Board Executive Director. “As we continue to see troubling trends within our community, it is necessary to elevate this conversation to raise awareness. Everyone has a role to play in saving lives, and this is a crucial step toward that goal.”

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, April 3, 2024
• Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• Location: Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Pavilion, 2085 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

Agenda Highlights

• Panel discussions focused on the impact of suicide in Summit County
• A ‘Fireside Chat’ exploring community perspectives on suicide prevention and resilience
• Information on suicide prevention efforts and resources available
• Opportunities to provide input on local suicide prevention priorities

According to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, Summit County saw 96 deaths by suicide in 2023 and 2024, and there have been 25 deaths by suicide so far in 2025.  Statewide, suicide ranks as the 12th-leading cause of death among all Ohioans and the second-leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 10-14 and 20-34, according to the latest statistics from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). On average, nearly five Ohioans died by suicide per day, including one individual age 10-24 every 36 hours.

Overall, the number of deaths by suicide in Ohio declined for the first time in three years in 2023, decreasing about 1% from 2022’s numbers, according to the 2023 Ohio Suicide Report released by ODH in January. Ohio deaths by suicides dropped to 1,777 in 2023 – 20 fewer than 2022.

Warning Signs of Suicide

As part of the event, participants will learn about the warning signs of suicide, which may include:

• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or a desire to die;
• Increased withdrawal from social connections;
• Mood swings, particularly a sudden shift from sadness to calm; and
• Talking about feeling trapped or like a burden to others.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Ohioans can call, text, or chat 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.

Since its launch on July 16, 2022, use of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has grown steadily. In that time, Ohio’s 19 call centers – the most of any state in the nation – have responded to more than 460,000 calls, texts, and chats: an average of more than 18,000 contacts each month.

For more information about the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/569n7kdc or contact the Summit ADM Board at 330.762.3500.