A major aspect of suicide prevention is called Lethal Means Reduction. Like the name implies, this means putting time and distance between people who are experiencing suicidality and ways for them to take their own life. In a rural area like Cortland County where hunting and shooting sports are common activities, we must direct our efforts of Lethal Means Reduction towards the access of firearms. Firearms are the most lethal means of suicide across the US and the world with nearly 9 out of 10 attempts being fatal.

Yesterday, the CDC and NYSDOH announced that there have been 106 pediatric flu reported deaths this season, 9 of which were in New York State. Most of these children were not vaccinated. Getting yourself and your child vaccinated for flu is the best way to prevent serious illness and death if you get the flu. The flu shot is recommended for everyone six months and older. It is not too late to get the flu shot this year!

With the weather slowly warming up and springtime activities on our minds, we often forget about our private well systems right in our own back yard. If you are not on public water (municipal system), you most likely have a private well. Spring is a great time to give our private wells some TLC. If you don’t know where your well is or if it hasn’t been looked at in a while now is the perfect time to check it out.