HN PHOTO: Back-to-back unrelated searches for suicidal males

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic.    HN PHOTO NOTES: Barnstable police had two back-to-back unrelated searches for suicidal males early this morning. Both males were located at local beach areas. Police across the Cape were on the lookout for the first male. He was eventually located by a Barnstable Police Lieutenant just over the line at a Yarmouth Beach. Yarmouth Fire Department arrived and transported the male to Cape Cod Hospital so he could get help. The second suicidal male was eventually located by Barnstable Police Officers wandering the woods near to a Barnstable Village freshwater beach. In the above HN Photo, Barnstable Firefighters were prepared to launch a Boston Whaler if needed. It wasn’t needed. Police officers located the intoxicated male and carefully walked him out of the woods to an awaiting ambulance. The second distraught man was also transported to CCH. Searches for suicidal or distraught individuals are common in the Town of Barnstable. Sometimes they happen daily. But it’s unusual to have two of these types of searches happen back-to-back. It’s also NOT unusual for local police and firefighters to spend a good part of their shift attending to the needs of those suffering mental illness. Both of this morning’s searches had successful results. According to their website, the “Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands answers calls routed to us by three different numbers: our two local numbers [508-548-8900 and 800-893-9900] and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Samaritans-trained volunteers are available to answer calls to all three numbers, 24/7/365. Anyone is welcome to call any one of these numbers to receive non-judgmental, compassionate support.” CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.