JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This was a different kind of Tuesday for city workers in Neptune Beach.
Their lives were changed when a co-worker, Miklos Stoffel, died by suicide at age 50 while serving as the City of Neptune Beach’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). It was a shock to the team.
They are coming together on World Suicide Prevention Day to find a way to help others through suicide prevention training. Neptune, Atlantic and Jacksonville Beach staff participated in the training.
“Miklos was important to all of us he was IT so he was everywhere through the whole city,” said Elaine Brown, Neptune Beach Mayor.
Related: Suicide Prevention Month: Simple steps to stop suicide
“To honor him we are now doing some training with everyone so that if in any case, something like this were to ever come up again we would know how to react to it,” said Brown.
Each person who attended the training will get a QR code to scan. If they encounter someone who is considering harming themselves, they can scan the QR code and all of the local resources they may need will pop up on their phone.
“We are trying to de-stigmatize and normalize the conversation about suicide. We know that it is a myth that if you ask someone if they are going to commit suicide it will lead them to do that,” said Jess McCroskey an education manager.
Today, a new CDC report was released and found three factors that could help reduce the rates:
- 26% lower in counties with the highest health insurance coverage
- 44% lower in counties where most homes have broadband internet access
- 13% lower in counties with the most household income
According to the CDC, 49,000 people died by taking their own life in 2022. If you or someone you know needs help, call 988.
“The City of Neptune Beach is incredibly proud to have the Here Tomorrow organization as a vital part of our community,” said Mayor Brown. “Their unwavering dedication and essential services play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of our residents. We recognize their profound impact and are grateful for their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of so many.”
Here Tomorrow is conducting a QPR training on Sept. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Here Tomorrow’s main office in Neptune Beach (910 3rd Street). These trainings are free. Here Tomorrow is also sponsoring the North Beaches Art Walk on Sept.19 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Beaches Town Center (200 1st Street).
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.