When Vashon saw a small increase in suicides in 2013 — six people died by suicide, whereas past years saw three at most — islanders were saddened and alarmed. It was even more shocking that half of the victims were young people, and many wondered if there was something amiss on the island, something that might contribute to the pain and mental health struggles that drive people to take their own lives. But public health officials at the time warned that the small increase didn’t signify a trend — it would take much longer to establish that. The deaths were tragic, they said, but likely random, with nothing tying them together.

Indeed, new data indicates there were three deaths by suicide in 2014 on Vashon, a figure that’s important for the community to know. Three suicides is a more average number for our island, but at the same time it’s nothing to celebrate. The victims were loved by friends and family, and their untimely deaths were felt by many. But the drop in suicides does suggest that 2013’s uptick was likely what experts would call a random cluster. While suicide is a public health issue, there’s no evidence of a trend or underlying cause for what we’ve seen on Vashon.

Still, on an island with a tight-knit community, a town where we watch out for one another and feel a sense of responsibility for our young people, islanders have decided to take action, and rightfully so. Thanks to a new initiative by the Vashon School District and a state grant obtained by the Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA), there will be more opportunities for youth, school staff and community members to learn about mental health and suicide and how to get help to those who struggle. Lack of knowledge and awareness around mental health isn’t just a Vashon issue, it’s a societal issue. Many will now have the opportunity to better understand mental health and to recognize when someone is struggling or at risk for suicide. Those given the chance should embrace it. And everyone should resolve in 2015 to learn or remind themselves of the warning signs for suicide, because even one death by suicide is one too many.

To learn more about suicide and suicide warning signs, see www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or www.afsp.org. Local suicide hotlines include the Crisis Line at 461-3222 and Teen Link at 461-4922. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.