The increasing instability of life on a global and local scale might be contributing to higher rates of mental health-related issues among Central New Yorkers. As National Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close, Onondaga County Suicide Prevention Coalition Coordinator Mark Vinciquerra said there’s a connection between the chaos and wellness.
“It's the political claptrap. It's the wars. It's the socioeconomic status of folks. It's the cutting of services. It's like the perfect storm," he said. "Many of those pieces come together and folks are struggling with a multitude of issues and challenges.”
He said the combination is triggering intense stress, depression, and other mood disorders, and that can lead to suicidal thoughts. Vinciquerra said social media only amplifies those feelings. He said this is coming as the federal government cuts funding for critical prevention services like hotlines for marginalized groups.
“Being able to form a bond, a relationship, to being able to connect, to have the empathy of those that you work with," Vinciquerra said. "Particularly if you're working with individuals that struggle with trust in some way, shape, or form, then you've got to be on your A-game to be able to form the connections.”
Vinciquerra says this is especially important for young people who may not have the awareness or resources to address mental health problems before they spiral out of control.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts...call the crisis lifeline at 988.
