In recent weeks, we’ve had the sad task to report on suicides that occurred publicly in the Midcoast.

These are never stories we relish reporting — quite the opposite. The Times Record will report on suicides if they involve a continuing story of a missing person, or if they occur in a public place.

We never report on a suicide to sell papers. Our hope is that raising awareness of the issue will lead to prevention.

The statistics surrounding suicide are more than disheartening.

In 2015, more than 44,000 Americans took their own lives, according to the American Association of Suicidology, and there were more than 1.1 million nonfatal attempts. Suicide was also the 10th-leading cause of death in 2015.

In 2015 235 people in Maine took their lives, according to the Association.

According to the Maine Suicide Prevention Program, between 2011 and 2013, suicide was the first leading cause of death for Maine adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, second among Maine residents between 15 and 34 years of age, and fourth among Maine residents between the ages of 35 and 54.

According to the Midcoast Community Alliance, over the past five years greater Sagadahoc County has lost more than 20 people to suicide. The Alliance cites a 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, which states 1 in 5 of high school students in Sagadahoc County have considered suicide in the past year. Only 49 percent of students reported feeling like they matter to people in their community.

There is hope. There is something you can do.

We encourage all who want to learn more about prevention to attend an event organized by Midcoast Community Alliance, “A Call to Action for Suicide Prevention.” It is being held April 30 at 4 p.m. at the Bath Parks & Recreation Department at 4 Sheridan Road in Bath.

Midcoast Community Alliance meets at 1 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month at the Bath Parks & Recreation Department, to discuss the complex issues that lead people to consider suicide. Members recognize that youth suicide cannot be addressed without also examining adult suicide and that addiction, among other things, is oftentimes closely related.

“This is something that affects all of us and will take all of us working together to find solutions. Our community leaders acted quickly to get involved and have provided strong support in our mission,” said Jamie Dorr, volunteer for the Bath Youth Meetinghouse & Skatepark and lead organizer of the Midcoast Community Alliance.

If you’re thinking about suicide, know that there is help available, 24/7: To speak with a trained crisis clinician in Maine, call Sweetser’s Crisis Services at 1-888-568-1112. If out of state, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK.

For more information, visit the MSPP website at maine.gov/suicide.