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Effingham County leaders, first responders urge awareness as local 911 and EMS data show rising calls and deaths
Summary
At a community suicide-awareness event in Effingham County, local officials and first responders urged residents to check on one another after 9-1-1 and EMS leaders said mental-health crisis calls and suicide deaths have risen in recent years.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY — Local officials and first responders at a suicide-awareness event in Effingham County emphasized community support and shared local data showing an increase in crisis calls and deaths.
“Since January 2024, the county has had 33 attempted suicides, 15 completed,” said Wanda (last name not specified), identified in the program as the county’s director of EMS. She said eight of the attempts occurred in the current year and described how EMS data can help inform prevention efforts.
The statistics drew on 9-1-1 call data presented at the event. “For the year 2020, Effingham County 911 processed 487 calls. 2021, 538 calls were processed. 2022, 606 calls were processed. For 2023, 685 calls were processed. Moving on to 2024, last year, 928 calls processed. So far, our current year of ’25 … we’ve already processed 710 calls,” said Jay Spink, identified as the county’s director of 9-1-1. He said the five-year span shows a 45.8 percent increase in mental-crisis calls and that 42 deaths by suicide were recorded in that period.
Speakers framed the statistics with personal testimony and calls to action. Commissioner Floyd recounted the loss of his son and described how chronic illness and subsequent substance use affected his son’s life. He urged attendees to give people a moment and listen: “If somebody reaches out, give them a minute of your time and listen.”
Clint Martin, identified as the county’s EMA director and a chief among first responders, urged residents to “be that positive light” for people who may be struggling, saying small acts of outreach can connect someone to resources.
Event hosts and speakers asked the community to treat mental-health struggles as broadly affecting all ages and backgrounds. “The evidence is appalling, is it not? It’s happening right here at home,” said Miss Kennedy, who led parts of the program.
Organizers closed with a moment of silence and a release to remember those lost. The event included testimony, a poem, brief prayers and readings, and presentations of local EMS and 9-1-1 data meant to encourage awareness and community-based prevention.
The speakers did not announce formal county actions or new programs during the event; they focused on awareness, data sharing and urging residents to check on neighbors, family and friends.
