Suicide rates are increasing at an accelerated rate in the county. There have been at least four so far this year, according to the Gilmer County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office reported that the county has some of the highest suicide rates in all of Georgia. Of the four suicide deaths this year, three of them occurred in the month of February alone.
Based on information in the Coroner’s Office Death Investigation Management System, 10 deaths occurred by suicide in 2023. In 2024, there were 14 suicide deaths. The coroner’s office noted that these numbers are not absolute, but are the closest they can get with the inputted data that’s accessible.
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, and law enforcement nationwide, have noticed a significant increase in calls of people contemplating suicide in which they intervene, running into someone in mental distress or needing to assist family members in getting their loved one mental health evaluations.
“They’re through the roof,” Nicholson said about the increase in mental health related calls. “If I had to put a date or a year on it, it would’ve started in 2020. That’s when things started severely, when people were isolated.”
Since March 2024, out of 16 suicides, 12 utilized a firearm, three were deaths by hanging and one involved drugs, according to coroners. Men made up 12 of the deaths, and four were women, with ages ranging from 17 to 85.
“For as long as I can remember, Gilmer County has always had a little bit higher suicide rate per capita than a lot of other counties,” Nicholson reflected. “Maybe not all counties, but a lot of others, and I don’t know why that is.”
From 2018 to 2022, the average annual count of suicide deaths in Gilmer was 11, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Fannin County averaged six deaths from suicide, Pickens averaged nine, and Dawson averaged seven per year.
Resources for suicide prevention in Gilmer are limited. While some counties in the north Georgia region, like Cherokee and Dawson, have prevention coalitions that work to raise awareness, apply strategies to help reduce risk and provide support to survivors, Gilmer does not.
The county does have a comprehensive community provider (CCP), which is an agency that provides suicide screening, assessment and treatment. Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, located at 1179 Progress Road in Ellijay, is listed as the CCP for Gilmer on preventsuicidega.org.
While NIH reports that suicides are on the rise nationally, it’s difficult to determine why they are occuring at an accelerated rate locally.
There are national resources available for those having suicidal thoughts, survived an attempt or are grieving after a loss. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center have a plethora of information listed on their websites.
If anyone is struggling and needs someone to talk to, they can call the suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988. Mental health professionals are available 24/7.
“I would encourage anyone that is concerned, whether it be for themselves or a friend or family member, to try to get them help,” Nicholson said. “Call the 988 hotline, call 911. Call someone to get them help.”