Baptist Health La Grange employees gathered to “Chalk the Walk” in front of their Behavioral Health unit to raise awareness for World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday Sept. 10. This was the second year for the event held during National Suicide Prevention Month. Organizers hope the uplifting messages and encouraging pictures help reduce the stigma around care for mental health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50 percent of Americans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. One in five will experience a mental illness in any given year. In recent years, the CDC reported suicide among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34.
If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a crisis counselor online.
Behavioral Health services at Baptist Health La Grange opened in 2024 and feature an 11-bed inpatient psychiatric unit with all-private rooms and a secure outdoor courtyard.