Author: gladden.9@osu.edu

Don’ t forget the “pumpkin” spice? Why celebrating health this Fall maybe easier than you first thought.

photo of a coffee cup saying autumn mood on

A new study shows that America’s obsession with pumpkin spice may promote better overall health. The benefits are not from the extra sugary lattes many people enjoy this time of year, though!

What is pumpkin spice?

The seasonal spice is often a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice; however, notice that pumpkin is not on the ingredient list. Normally associated with the pumpkin pie, the flavorings start to appear in cupcakes, coffees, muffins, teas, and even cheeses as we head into the colder months. Recently researchers looked at why we crave these fall flavors and found that it is often the  memories we have of the warm spices at holiday gatherings we have with friends.  

Benefits of the spice blend

The recent article highlights the numerous benefits that a spicy diet can have. Spices used in “pumpkin” spice may provide the following health benefits: potential increase in antioxidants, reduced inflammation, improved digestion, heart protection, and balanced blood sugar.

Even if “pumpkin spice” is a fall gimmick, research shows the actual spices in the product can positively affect your health all year long.

Cinnamon has been linked with lowering bad cholesterol, increasing antioxidants, and helping to reduce inflammation.

Ginger has a long history of being used in ancient medicine, which leads to long list of benefits from the spice. Some benefits are reducing nausea, pain relief, and more. In a 2008 study, ginger was linked to decreasing LDL cholesterol.

A photo of pumpkin spiced lattes and pumpkins, cinnamon, and other spices.

Nutmeg is rich in antioxidants like many other spices. Antioxidants decrease chronic oxidative stress preventing some chronic diseases and protecting from others.

Cloves is a delicious flavor and can add a kick to many of your recipes, but little research has been done on the actual clove used in the spice mixture.

Allspice much like the others has anti-inflammatory properties and some research shows potentially anticancer properties .

Though all these spices can have valuable benefits, they are meant to be consumed within reason and should not replace any medications. Though the benefits may support a healthy lifestyle, it is important to contact your doctor before taking larger or purposeful doses of any of these spices.

If pumpkin spice is not your thing, here are some other Fall health benefits

Walking weather:

Fall commonly has more mild temperatures, which means many find it easier to get out and move! Take advantage of the chilly fall weather and increase your steps.

Better Sleep:

Before we get ready to hibernate for the long winter, research has shown we sleep better during the fall months. From getting darker earlier, to shorter days overall, to colder weather, there are numerous reasons we get better sleep during this time of the year.

Works Cited:

Burdeos, Johna. “Is Pumpkin Spice Good for You?” Health, Health, 21 Oct. 2024, www.health.com/pumpkin-spice-benefits-8730485.

“Health Benefits of Pumpkin Spice.” Cleveland Clinic: Health Essentials, Cleveland Clinic, 27 June 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/pumpkin-spice-benefits.

Writer: Ryan Kline, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Ross County, kline.375@osu.edu

Reviewer: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

Balancing Fun and Health: Setting Halloween Candy Boundaries for Kids

I’ll be honest, I was never really into Halloween until I had kids. Now that I have two little ones, I love seeing Halloween through their eyes when we decorate the house, get costumes, and of course go trick or treating. For many parents, coming home with a full bag of candy right before going to bed sounds like a power struggle waiting to happen. It can also be a challenge when kids know there is a full bag of candy in the house, but as parents we know that eating too much sugar is harmful to their health. Setting clear boundaries around candy consumption can help ensure your kids enjoy Halloween without overindulging. Here are some tips to balance fun and health!

  • Establish guidelines before trick-or-treating. Research shows that children do better when they know what to expect. Start by eating a healthy dinner so the kids are not hungry when they return home. Talk about how many pieces of candy they will be allowed to eat once you get home so they know what to expect.
  • Set a daily candy limit. Decide on a limit that makes sense for your family and make it known. This gives your child ownership in deciding when to eat their set amount, while also making sure they don’t have a sugar overload.
  • Encourage mindful eating. During any mealtime it’s important to teach children to slow down and savor their food. With their Halloween candy, you can talk about what flavors they like and dislike and how to recognize they are full.
  • Lead by example. Show how you can eat treats in moderation and that even though you want to eat more, you are going to stop yourself in that moment.
Pumpkins with candy

By setting clear candy boundaries without taking away the fun, parents can help their kids enjoy the excitement of Halloween while also promoting healthy habits. The goal is to balance indulgence with moderation, creating a positive, guilt-free experience for the whole family. Remember, it’s all about enjoying the season responsibly—without sacrificing the joy!

Writer: Erin Ruggiero, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Medina County, ruggiero.46@osu.edu

Reviewer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-halloween-candy-should-kids-eat

https://www.youthdynamics.org/structure-predictability-the-building-blocks-for-kids/

https://wayne.osu.edu/news/mindful-eating

Fostering International Mindedness

Last week at my county fair, I had the unique opportunity to host some international journalists from Ukraine. They were guests of the U.S. Department of State as part of a special program to foster relations with foreign press. Their mission, while they toured Ohio agricultural sites, was to capture some best practices related to farming and research, with a special focus on youth. They want to share these ideas with their homeland to inspire Ukrainian villages to engage their youth. They were fascinated by the 4-H youth exhibits and livestock at our county fair.

Ukrainian couple interview two youth about their alpaca projects at a county fair.

They also shared their heart-wrenching story, how Aliona fled to the U.S. with their two children when Ukraine was invaded, while Ruslan stayed in Ukraine to farm their crops. While in the U.S., their children have endured bullying in school due to their heritage and war status in their home country. Amidst their own personal and national turmoil, they continue to travel when possible and share stories to inspire their country.

Their visit had a profound impact on me, reflecting on all they have endured. How can we stop this bullying and spread peace? According to education expert Carolyn Savage, international mindedness involves knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of different cultures, increased self-awareness and empathy, ability to collaborate with peers from different backgrounds, deepening knowledge and understanding of global issues and ability to see ourselves as responsible, global citizens. This concept of international mindedness is something we could all embrace. We can help children (and ourselves) better understand other cultures to increase our capacity for compassion.

Here are some ways to families can foster international understanding: 

  • Start early: Begin talking about culture, diversity, and inclusion with children at a young age. 
  • Be inclusive: Consider the diversity in your friends, reading materials, and toys. 
  • Create a cultural home environment: Invite into your home books, art, and music from other cultures. 
  • Celebrate traditions: Attend multicultural events and celebrate cultural traditions and differences. 
  • Learn about other cultures: Listen to cultural music, watch foreign movies, explore historical sites, and visit museums. Pick a recipe from another country and have fun making it together.
  • Take classes: Learn about different cultures through online courses or community language classes. 
  • Have open conversations: With age-appropriateness in mind, discuss current global issues and events with your child to develop critical thinking and global empathy.
  • Model Respect and Empathy: Model these values in your daily interactions with others, showing the importance of treating all individuals with kindness and understanding.
  • Encourage international friendships: Help children make friends with children from different cultural backgrounds. 
  • Volunteer and Serve Others: Participate in volunteer opportunities and service projects as a family to demonstrate the value of giving back and making a positive impact on your community and the world.

Becoming more aware of other cultures leads to greater understanding an increased capacity to show compassion. If children can learn this at an early age, they can live in peace with people from all nations.

Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu

Reviewer: Erin Ruggiero, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Medina County, ruggiero.46@osu.edu

Sources:

“An Introduction to International Mindedness.” 11-06-2023. Edmentum, Inc.

Butt, S. (2024). “How to Foster Cultural Awareness at Home.” Johns Hopkins University.

“Celebrate tradition and cultural awareness with young children.” 11-20-2018. Southwest Human Development.

Identity Fraud: Minors Can Be Victims Too

When we think of identity fraud most of us draw our attention to adults aged 18 and up. We assume risk begins when we start opening up lines of credit, purchasing homes, or paying taxes. However, the risk may begin sooner than we realize. In 2021, about 23.9 million people in the U.S. ages 16 or older had been victims of identify theft during the prior 12 months. It was not until I experienced identity theft that I realized the vulnerability our minors face and how easily they can fall victim. Unfortunately in most cases, minor identity theft goes unnoticed until they reach the age of 18.

So what exactly is minor identity theft? This happens when someone accesses a child under the age of 18 personal information and uses it to access services or commit fraud. Scammers might use a social security number, name, address, date of birth, or passport. Minors are a vulnerable population, meaning they are at an increased risk for theft. Minors theft is becoming increasingly common for several reasons:

  • We do not typically monitor minor credit scores
  • Minors are more likely to share personal information online (social media, gaming chat)
  • Phishing links are hard to identify
  • More likely to utilize public Wifi
  • Use the same password for multiple sites
  • They don’t understand identity theft
  • Smart phones and other technology are frequently misplaced
  • Frequent use of apps that utilize or track personal information

Sometimes our identity becomes comprised due to circumstances outside of our control. Data scammers will access data from the dark web and information collected due to data breaches which can include, social media websites, healthcare, schools, and even personal computer systems. Other sources of access include applying for government benefits or IRS/tax information.

There are actions we can take to protect our youth from becoming victims of this rapidly growing crime. The Federal Trade Commission for Consumer Safety recommends that caregivers take the following actions:

  • Check your child’s credit report when you can
  • Children under 16 can freeze their credit by contacting the three major credit bureaus ( find information here)
  • Utilize a 3rd party credit monitoring system
  • Ask questions before providing your child’s social security number to anyone. (why do you need it? how will you protect it? can you use a different identifier? Can you use just the last 4 digits?)

If you’ve began monitoring minor personal information and you’ve noticed suspicious activity there are steps that can be taken. 1) contact companies where the fraud occurred 2) contact all three credit bureaus 3) file a police report 4) report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. Taking steps to monitor youth personal information can help stop them from becoming victims and help them to protect their identity.

Sources:

Kim, E., Heras, G. de las, & Puig, A. (2024, April 23). How to protect your child from identity theft. Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-child-identity-theft#protect

Morad, R. (2014, July 22). Why teens are at risk for identity theft. LifeLock Official Site. https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/teens-risk-identity-theft

Erika Harrell, erika. (2023, October). Victims of identity theft, 2021. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/victims-identity-theft-2021

Author: Holly Bandy, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Stark County

Reviewer: Katie Schlagheck, Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties

Disenfranchised Grief: When Grief Doesn’t Make Sense

When my daughter was three days old, she ended up being admitted to a children’s hospital for a 21 day stay. During this time, I went through so many emotions, anger, sadness, confusion, that I off handedly said it was like I was going through the grieving process. Little did I know that I was in fact going through the grieving process! While many times we think about grief as it relates to the death of a loved one, thought to be “normal” grief, there are several types of grief that people can experience. In my instance, I was experiencing disenfranchised grief.

mother with newborn

“Disenfranchised grief is when a person loses something or someone in their life that is important to them, but either their loss is not valued or recognized by others, or the way they’re grieving is not considered to be a socially acceptable way to process grief.” Disenfranchised grief is grief that is not commonly recognized or acknowledged by society. In other words, these are things that happen that to others might not seem like a big deal or a loss at all.

Some examples of disenfranchised grief include:

  • Sale of your childhood home
  • Loss of someone’s personality due to dementia
  • Miscarriage
  • Loss of a pet
  • Loss of independence such as driving
  • Loss of a loved one due to an overdose or substance use
  • Canceled plans or event you were excited about
  • Loss of an estranged or absent family member
  • And in my case loss of time with your newborn at home

The effects of disenfranchised grief can be made worse if others do not validate or acknowledge a person’s feelings of the event or situation. People may play off a situation, saying something “wasn’t a big deal” and you should “get over it”. These types of statements make the grieving process more difficult for the person experiencing this grief. In my example, one of the doctors at the hospital said to me: “It’s 21 days, what is 21 days compared to the rest of her life?” While this statement was probably meant to make it feel like our situation was not a big deal, instead our feelings were not validated and instead minimized the grief I was going through in the moment.

If you find yourself in a situation that you are experiencing disenfranchised grief, often having some sort of ritual can be helpful. These could include things like writing a letter, planting a tree in memory of someone or something that was lost, or to even hold a ceremony to help bring closure to whatever the loss may be.

If you know someone experiencing disenfranchised grief, talk with them. Even if you don’t understand why they are experiencing this grief, let them know that you are there for them and that their feelings matter.

Sources:

Disenfranchised Grief: What It Means and How to Cope With It. May 26, 2023. Sanjana Gupta. https://www.verywellmind.com/disenfranchised-grief-definition-causes-impact-and-coping-5221901

Disenfranchised Grief. 2019. Veronica Thelen. Family Health Psychiatric & Counseling Center. https://www.fhpcc.com/disenfranchised-grief

Types of Grief: It’s Not Always Related to Death. N.D. Hospice of the Golden Isles. https://hospice.me/types-of-grief-its-not-always-related-to-death/

Written by: Katie Schlagheck, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties

Reviewed by: Holly Bandy, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Stark

“Fall” into Mindfulness

person enjoying fall

If you have been following for a few months now, you know I enjoy discussing topics on mental wellbeing, and today is no different. Fall weather is often very crisp, and it is sometimes accompanied by warm beams of sunshine. Take advantage of these days and make some time to go outdoors by foot, by bike, on the water, or on a quiet park bench nearby. Southeast Ohio is gorgeous in the fall and has many trails and attractions like Dillon State Park and The Wilds, which are both housed here in Muskingum County. When you go outdoors, embrace simplicity and notice the changing of the season by using your senses to observe the sights, smells and sounds that are around you.

Did you know that food heavily influences our emotions? When we “eat our emotions” we tend to find foods that comfort us and bring pleasant memories. Holidays are great examples of food feeding our brains in more ways than one. Mindfulness is a way that we can engage our bodies to be fully aware. A great way to do that is by engaging the five senses in taste, smell, sight, feel, and sound. Fall foods such as soups, pies, and turkey dinners bring multiple senses together to create mindful moments. Appreciate the smells, tastes, and textures of your favorite foods. Sit outside on a crisp fall evening and feel the warm food against the cool air and all the things you are grateful for or looking forward to.

Other fall mindfulness activities could include journaling, drawing, birdwatching, and photo walking. These experiences may allow you to see new places and try an activity you would not ordinarily choose to relieve stress and bring back balance to your life. So, this season, take time to have mindful moments wherever you are, and look forward to the changes that lie ahead!

Written by: Alexus Masterson, MPH, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County

Reviewed by: Jenny Lobb, MPH, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

Sources

Levin, V. (2019, October 9). Five Fall Mindfulness Exercises. Ardent Grove Foundation. https://ardentgrove.org/therapy-services/f/five-fall-mindfulness-exercises

Ontario Parks. (2023, October, 10). 5 ways to practice fall mindfulness. https://www.ontarioparks.ca/parksblog/fall-mindfulness/

An apple a day…

keeps the doctor away! Were you able to finish that line?!

Last year, researchers conducted a study and showed that this old saying may be more true than we realize. Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, the researchers looked at the association between flavonoid intake and frailty onset. Flavonoids are a dietary compound found in plant-based foods like apples and blackberries. What they found is that consumption of foods rich in flavonoids, quercetin in particular, could prevent frailty in older adults. The findings of this study suggest that for every 10 mg higher intake of flavanols per day, the amount found in a medium-sized apple, the odds of frailty are reduced by 20%.

Apples contain more nutrients than just quercetin; they are also good sources of fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C, especially when eaten with the peel on. Good news, apples are easy to find in Ohio, with around 50 different varieties grown in the state! Visit the Ohio Apples website to learn more about different varieties, locate sites where you can purchase or pick your own Ohio apples, and view additional apple-related recipes and activities. You can also use the OSU Extension Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Apples fact sheet to learn more about certain apple varieties and their recommended culinary uses.  

Great Apple Crunch logo

Finally, consider taking part in the annual Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch! October is National Farm to School month, and in Ohio we celebrate with other Midwestern states by taking part in the annual Great Apple Crunch. The official crunch occurs on the second Thursday of October, but you can crunch at your convenience anytime this month. Register for the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch to receive an apple crunch guide and help Ohio reach its goal of at least 350,000 crunchers this year. You can register yourself, your family, a school or a worksite.

Happy crunching!

Written by Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County

Reviewed by Alexus Masterson, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Muskingum County

Sources:

Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research (2023). An Apple a Day Keeps Frailty at Bay: The Power of Quercetin Flavonol-Rich Foods.  https://scitechdaily.com/an-apple-a-day-keeps-frailty-at-bay-the-power-of-quercetin-flavonol-rich-foods/

Williams, T., Shertzer, J. K. & Drake, B. H. (2021). Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Apples. OSU Extension. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5507

Sweater Weather

One of my favorite things about fall and winter is that it’s finally sweater weather! As a longtime knitter, I love to try out my new handmade clothing and break out some of my favorite commercially produced sweaters. With both handmade and purchased sweaters, it’s important to take care of your garments throughout the season to ensure they are ready to wear for years.

Knitted sweater, gloves, and hats

If your winter wear has been stored for the summer, you may want to take some time to freshen your clothing up before wearing it. If your clothes have a musty smell, try giving them a quick wash or take dry clean-only items to the dry cleaners. If there’s still a smell, you may want to add some white vinegar, borax, or baking soda to your wash. For clothes that come out of storage with a few wrinkles, iron or steam your garment, or you can just bring them into the bathroom when you take a hot shower and use that steam to release the wrinkles.  

Once you have your cold-weather clothing out of storage, take care of them throughout the season! Closely read the care instruction label for your winter clothes to see how they should be laundered. Some sweaters, usually those made with synthetic fibers, can be machine-washed on cold and tumble-dried on low and still keep their shape. If you have a sweater made with natural fibers, such as certain types of wool, it may be recommended to handwash your garment or use the hand wash cycle on your washing machine. Wool sweaters should NEVER be put in the dryer – this can cause them to “feel” and shrink dramatically. If you are unsure what to do with your favorite sweater, check out the University of Georgia’s “Understand Your Fibers” factsheet.

When your sweaters are clean, they should be folded and put in a drawer or shelf, rather than hung in the closet. Hanging a sweater can cause it to stretch or create bumps in the shoulder area. When wearing your sweaters, choose jewelry and accessories carefully – some jewelry can easily snag your knitwear. Be sure to treat stains soon, particularly before they go into storage again as stains that age can darken over time.

When winter is over and it’s time to put away your sweaters until next fall, make sure that your clothes have all been cleaned and completely dried – soiled sweaters in storage could potentially attract cloth-damaging insects. Finally, be sure to store your sweaters and winter wear in a cool, dark, and dry area of your home. Happy sweater season!

Written By: Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu

Reviewed By: Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County, barton.345@osu.edu

Resources:

Clean up your winter wardrobe. The American Cleaning Institute (ACI). (n.d.-a). https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/cleaning-schedule/clean-your-winter-wardrobe

Lowe, J. (2023, June 15). Knit your way to better health. Live Healthy Live Well. https://livehealthyosu.com/2023/06/15/knit-your-way-to-better-health/

Sweater care. The American Cleaning Institute (ACI). (n.d.-b). https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/fabric-care/sweater-care

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Understand your fibers. Textiles. https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/textile-basics/understand-your-fibers/

How Important are Your Friends to Your Health?

Friendship is one of the most elevating aspects of life. Besides fun and connection, friendship can provide important emotional and physical support. Friendship also plays a central role in our overall well-being. Recent studies suggest, “People who value social relationships are likelier to be happy than those who value achievements in other life domains, such as education and career.” This highlights for us that while accomplishments in career and education are important, the happiness we enjoy from our social connections surpasses all our other achievements.

One of the great benefits of friendship is the emotional support it provides. Good friendships celebrate our successes and provide support during tough times. This support can provide us with belonging and validation, which is essential for our mental health. Research indicates that “the strength of family and relationships with friends is related to happiness and life satisfaction, directly as well as indirectly through an impact on health.” The positive connections of friends contribute to a more rewarding life.  We know that we are social by nature. Relationships are important to our survival and happiness.  A variety of stable and supportive relationships, at work, at home, and in our community, give us the support we need to cope with the challenges and stress we encounter in life.

two friends high-fiving

Recently, while traveling for work, several friends provided support to me by attending my kids’ sporting events since I was unable to attend. Another friend picked up copies of the local paper that contained a picture of my daughter so that I wouldn’t miss it. These small acts may not have taken a lot of time but made me and my family feel like a part of the community. I appreciated this reminder that acts of kindness and friendship are not always large, expensive, or time-consuming but instead focused on connecting with or supporting each other.

Friendships are also good for our overall health. “Feeling connected socially has a positive influence not only on psychological well-being but also on physical well-being.” Having strong social ties has been linked to lower rates of anxiety, depression, and various health issues. Research shows that people with strong social bonds tend to live longer, healthier lives.

It’s important we recognize the value of friendships in our lives. The happiness derived from strong social connections can lead to a more satisfying life. By prioritizing relationships, we not only enrich our own lives but also create a support system for those we care about.  We can let our friends know we appreciate their contribution to our lives in small ways. Regularly telling our friends how much they mean to us, being excited about their accomplishments, praising their hard work, greeting them warmly, and more are all ways we can regularly let our friends know we are there for them and are appreciative of them in our lives.

a group of friends

Written By:

Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County, barton.345@osu.edu

Reviewed By:

  Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Social connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html

George, K., & Douglis, S. (2024, September 20). How to show your friends you care about them. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/01/1120550646/how-to-show-your-friends-you-love-them-according-to-a-friendship-expert

Song, I., Kwon, J.-W., & Jeon, S. M. (2023, July 13). The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10343095/

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: a flashpoint for health policy. Journal of health and social behavior, 51 Suppl(Suppl), S54–S66. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510383501

Supporting Adults through Mental Health Challenges

While we all come together in September to raise awareness for suicide prevention, it can be difficult to support those who are not ready or willing to share their challenges. Unfortunately, there is still often a stigma associated with reaching out for help for mental health services. The good thing is we can be the eyes and ears of those around us.

The focal point for advocacy and awareness is often centered around youth, when in actuality males ages 34-85+ have the highest rates of suicide, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Men make up 50% of the population but almost 80% of all suicides for adults. Firearms are used in 55% of adult suicides, making them the most common method used.

Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.

Other important facts to remember regarding adults, suicide, and mental health challenges include:

  • 1 in 5 people are at risk for having a mental health challenge
  • 13.2 million have seriously thought about suicide
  • 3 million have a plan
  • 1.6 million have attempted suicide

How can we support those who may be at risk? The biggest thing is to watch out for warning signs and symptoms. All of us get stressed at different times in our lives, but sometimes it can become overwhelming to a point where a person needs extra support, especially during major life changes (loss of job, divorce, etc.). These are just a few things to look out for:

  • Talking about death, dying, or suicide, or that the world would be “better off without them”
  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
  • Withdrawing from friends and/or family
  • Not showing up to events or activities that they typically would attend
  • Quitting activities that they used to enjoy doing

While all of this can seem overwhelming, the great thing for everyone is that there is HOPE. With proper intervention and treatment, the person can recover. There are trainings YOU can take to help you better notice warning signs and intervene, including Mental Health First Aid and Question. Persuade. Refer.. There are also resources available. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 is a simple, easy number that anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis can call or text anonymously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Ohio State University Extension also has county-specific mental health resource guides available at go.osu.edu/countyresourceguide.

Remember, don’t be afraid to check in on each other during difficult times. It is okay to not be okay!

Author: Bridget Britton, Behavioral Health Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Reviewer: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County

Sources:

CDC. Suicide Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html

National Alliance on Mental Illness. Suicide Prevention Month. https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-month/