Editor’s note: This is the first of four stories in a North Kitsap Herald holiday series, Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The series calls attention to little-known causes that change lives in our community — and how you can help.

POULSBO — For Natalie Myers, her 2014 Miss Viking Fest title wasn’t just a way to promote her platform of spreading suicide awareness and prevention. It was a means of saving lives.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in Washington for people age 10-24, and the third-leading cause of death nationally, according to the state Department of Health.

Every week in Washington, an average of two youth commit suicide and 17 are hospitalized after attempting. The state’s suicide rate exceeds the national average.

This year to date, 47 people have died by suicide in Kitsap County, surpassing the record high of 44 in 1999.

“Unfortunately, it is a record year and we still have December to go through,” Kitsap County Coroner Greg Sandstrom said.

Myers wants to turn the tide. And she’s using her personal experience with recovery from suicidal depression to initiate a community conversation and let people know that help in readily available.

Myers felt the overwhelming severity of the subject, first-hand, long before her title.

“I was a different person  back then,” said Myers who, while a high school sophomore, fought her own battle with suicidal depression.

“I was very depressed,” she said, “My mom researched it and realized that I was suicidal … I remember crying, I was so relieved I finally knew what was wrong with me.”

Myers received the help she needed and regained her health in 2013.

During her own ordeal, Myers became aware of something that she believes contributes to the problem: people don’t like to talk about it.

When she began her year of service as Miss Viking Fest, she decided to devote her life to making suicide prevention a topic of conversation.

“This will be my platform for the rest of my life,” Myers said. “Suicide is such a sensitive subject, no one wants to talk about it. But it needs to be talked about.”

Myers spoke at the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Walk in 2014. Following, she talked to more than 100 adolescents about suicide prevention at the Bremerton YMCA youth night. Her goal is to instill in local schools a deeper understanding of the signs of suicidal depression — and the fact that help is readily available. She hopes to begin making presentations in local schools as early as January 2016.

“We need to push back the theory that if we talk about it, teens will go out and commit suicide,” Myers said. “We want to protect teens but we need to learn together. We need to talk about it in order to protect them. It can happen to anyone.”

Myers’s goal: to initiate a personal conversation with the community, rather than relying on dry statistics.

“I want to do an oral presentation to all the health classes,” Myers said. “We need a teen-to-teen aspect, where teens can listen and relate. I want to share my personal story with the students … they’re the ones that see what’s going on the most, and if they like my presentation then I’ll come back every year.”

Myers explained, “Student education [on the topic] is so poor, they don’t know the signs. They need a better education of suicide prevention in our schools. They need to know they are not alone. There is always someone to look up to and something to look forward to. You just have to find it.”

She added, “Teens just don’t know where to go to get help. But if you confront someone, the truth will come out.”

Myers acknowledges that signs someone is at risk can differ between teens and adults, but advised, “If you are trained properly as a teen, then you are more likely to realize the signs in an adult too.”

Myers plans to continue to open up the suicide-prevention conversation and inform her peers and the community that help is available. She encourages people to research the topic of suicide prevention further, as well as donate to the cause. Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at www.afsp.org for more details.

“We need more support from the community to make a bigger effect,” Myers said.

For those suffering from depression, Myers has a message: “This is your beginning; don’t end it. Talk to someone — anyone. It’s not worth hiding.”

The Herald will take a deeper look at suicide and suicide prevention in North Kitsap in January and February.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
— Go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, www.afsp.org.

FYI
According to the Kitsap Public Health District:

— Suicide attempts often occur impulsively during a crisis. Families should consider removing firearms and locking up dangerous prescription drugs as important steps to protect a loved one.

— Ask the question: Talking about suicide won’t put the idea in someone’s head. Be caring and direct in a non-confrontational way: “I’m concerned about you…about how you’re feeling.”  “Are you thinking about ending your life?”

— Get help. Never agree to keep thoughts of suicide a secret. Don’t try to solve the situation yourself. Find help and offer support: ”Let’s talk to someone who can help.“ “Let’s call the Crisis Line.”

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

In an emergency, call 911.