(Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by the Clinton County Child Death Review Committee. This article covers sensitive topics that may be difficult for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.)

LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County, Pa., is not immune to personal tragedy. Specifically, suicide.

Each year, families across Clinton County endure the devastation of someone they love making the decision to end their life. Many times, there are signs but more often than not, there are none.

The hopeless and regrettable feeling of someone you love choosing to leave and not having had the opportunity to save them is something many survivors ruminate over for the rest of their lives. The suicide victim may not feel that anyone would care, that anyone loves them, that anyone knows how they feel; the pain, loneliness, anxiety, depression, hopelessness and worthlessness are just a few of the deep feelings felt and often times undisclosed.

Statistics provided by Clinton County Coroner Zach Hanna show that between 2016 and March 2026, 56 county residents have committed suicide.

The staggering data derived from his office: 52 of the 56 were male. Of those 52, 33 were committed with a self-inflicted gun-shot to the head or chest. All four females in the data died of a self-inflicted gun-shot.

This article is not intended to make the case for or against firearms. It is, however, intended to open the discussion around suicide. Suicide that leaves behind heart-broken family members, friends and loved ones. Suicide, that by many of the aforementioned who are left behind, is misunderstood by the lack of signs.

Suicide knows no age limits.

Of the 56 individuals in the county who succumb to suicide, three were under the age of 21, nine between the ages of 22-29, 22 were between 30 and 49 years old, and 22 were 50 or older. Other life ending means included asphyxiation due to hanging and intentional overdose of prescription medication.

Clinton County 911 call center data shows that 222 calls pertaining to suicide were received from the calendar year 2023 through the end of February 2026. This data reflects callers who fear that someone may attempt suicide or callers who are considering suicide.

If there are no signs, how can we prevent someone we love or care about from committing such a devastating and permanent action?

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a starting point is being aware of the risk factors and conditions that increase the chance a person may take their own life and paying attention to your loved ones if they fall into any of the categories. These range from health conditions including mental health, substance abuse, serious physical health conditions or traumatic brain injury.

Environmental triggers include access to firearms and/or drugs, prolonged exposure to stress, bullying, unemployment, unhealthy relationships, financial crises or major life events.

Warning signs that should alert loved ones to the need for affirmation and connection include negative talk about themselves, new negative behaviors, increased alcohol or drug use, withdrawing, sleeping more than normal and aggression normally not expressed.

Lastly, mood changes are oftentimes a sign of suicidal ideology. Loss of interest in things that the individual used to love, irritability, shame, agitation and sometimes a sudden improvement of what may have a longer than normal depressed or lethargic mood.

More often than not, the risk factors do not lead to suicide.

So how do we do our best to prevent it on the off chance it does? We talk about it.

We tell people we care about if they have those thoughts to come to us.

We talk about it even when it is not a concern.

We talk about it during normal times and we talk about it during tough times.

We share what losing them would do to us.

We turn discussions of suicide into normal discussions.

We remind people if they cannot come to us, go to a friend, co-worker, teacher… anyone they feel comfortable talking to.

Lastly, we promote 988.

988 is a free, 24/7 suicide and crisis hotline. Anyone, anytime, can call 988 or text 988 to speak or text with another human being, a lifeline counselor. The service is not just for suicidal thoughts, it can be used when someone is having a mental health emergency or personal crisis.

Family and friends can also use 988 to navigate a situation when dealing with a loved one. 988 is confidential and is available across the entire United States.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. However, every day, every week of every month should be suicide awareness month.

As the world becomes more difficult to navigate, social media entertains and society evolves, the topic of suicide should be a conversation we continue to have with the people we care about and love.

If you would like more information and resources regarding suicide visit American Foundation of Suicide Prevention at www.afsp.org; or 988 Lifeline at www.988lifeline.org.

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The Clinton County Child Death Review Committee is composed of Clinton County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Craig P. Miller, District Attorney David Strouse, Coroner Zach Hanna, Commissioner Angela Harding and several agencies throughout the county.