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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2020)
SIUSLAW NEWS | F RIDAY , J ULY 3, 2020 | 7A Get Results...List With Wendy. CRISIS from page 1A “In our first six months of the program, we were single coverage and we were just in Florence proper,” Severance said. “We needed law en- forcement backup for single people responding. Starting this week, we’re going to have double coverage. We’re going to expand out and cover all of western Lane county.” When the pandemic hit, it was thought that calls would increase, but instead, they were flat. Wendy Krause Broker 541 999-7765 6825 North Fork Siuslaw Rd – Gorgeous home on 5 acres just 5 miles from Florence. 2013 Carter Brothers built home full of custom details. Open fl oor plan with custom built walnut topped island, rock fi replace and valley views. Guest retreat with bathroom, and a shop too. $595,000. #3103- 20232488 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 A weekly roundup of shopping, savings and doings around town. Make your life easier with HONDA. Florence Saw Shop is your local HONDA Power equipment dealer. Come see our selection of Generators, Mowers, Tillers and Pumps. BARGAINS OF THE MONTH TRUE VALUE HARDWARE 1750 HIGHWAY 126 DUNES VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER FLORENCE, OR PHONE (541) 997-8024 49.99 SALE DATE: JULY 1 - JULY 31, 2020 Four Seasons Courtyard® XL Zero Gravity Chair T 242 961 3 Folding Side Table, 16.99 T 242 965, 964, 963, 967 B3 Available in same colors as chair 1550 6th St. & Hwy 101 541-997-9424 Monday—Saturday 10-5 BARGAINS OF THE MONTH 17.99 GE® 18 in. Under Cabinet LED Light E 268 333 1 49.99 Four Seasons Courtyard® 19.99 1 9 9 9 XL Zero Gravity Chair T 242 961 3 Folding Side Table, 16.99 T 242 965, 964, 963, 967 B3 Available in same colors as chair 6.99 Folding Platform Hand Truck Rayovac ® 24 pk. AA or AAA T 232 844 1 Alkaline Batteries E 182 538, 540 “The ambulance num- bers, interestingly enough, were down as well. People were afraid to have contact with others and to get the help that had other people dependent on coming to their home,” Severance said. In April, the call volumes younger people,” Severance said. “We see a lot of young- er people attempting or con- templating suicide.” She did not see an up- tick in completed suicides, which appears to be remain- ing steady. But the early thoughts of contemplation phetamines in this commu- nity,” Severance added. “I’d say those are probably the biggest problems. We prob- ably get calls two-to-three times per month, and that’s fairly steady.” The largest problem she is seeing is with alcohol abuse, which occurs across all age groups. “I would say that a “I think the pandemic has exacerbated all of good portion, may- those things for people, just in terms of how hope- be 40 percent, use less they feel about being able to recover. ... A good alcohol consistently number of them have lost their jobs. They are or define alcohol as sometimes underemployed, unemployed and can’t a problem for them,” support their families. They are needing to go back Severance said. “I see a lot of alcoholism.” to live with their family, or divorce. It’s a combina- Many of those tion of factors where their life has fallen apart.” struggling with al- — Lori Severance, cohol and suicid- Mobile Crisis Response Team al thoughts are also struggling with men- tal health conditions started going up, and June can turn deadly if issues are such as depression or bipo- marked the busiest time not addressed. lar. for the MCR in its history. “A good number of them “There are people who At that point, MCR staff have lost their jobs,” Sever- have not sought services and members were able to see ance said. “They are some- have not been diagnosed,” a broader picture of mental times underemployed, un- Severance said. “A lot of health in the region. employed and can’t support times people will try and “The kinds of people their families. They are self-regulate their moods that we are seeing are those needing to go back to live through drugs and alcohol. struggling with suicidal with their family, or divorce. That then masks the symp- thoughts,” Severance said. It’s a combination of factors toms, and it becomes hard Before the pandemic, the where their life has fallen to know if the symptoms are Siuslaw region already had apart. due to alcohol or an under- a high suicide rate. Ore- “I think the pandemic lying bipolar situation. A lot gon’s highest rate of suicide has exacerbated all of those of people are undiagnosed.” is men aged 85 and older, things for people, just in While each call MCR which makes up a good por- terms of how hopeless they receives is unique when it tion of the retirement com- feel about being able to re- comes to causes, ““It’s al- munity of Florence. cover.” ways complex, with multiple “I think we have a lot of While each circumstance issues,” Severance said. people here, and a lot of is unique to each individ- But the one thing that all retired older veterans who ual, Severance stated that people need right now is have health issues,” Sever- issues are compounding hope. ance said. “According to the for younger workers in the MCR works with multi- statistics, that seems to be community. First, they lose ple local programs for peo- our main risk factor with their job, which in turn can ple, from counseling to AA people here.” cause them to lose their rela- to financial help during the In the past three years, tionship or create instability pandemic. Severance has responded to in their housing situation. Severance mentioned 35 suicide completion calls. “They start drinking or grants from Siuslaw Out- “That’s about one a using drugs,” Severance sug- reach Services (SOS) that month. Our region is very gested. can help pay utilities, as well high,” she said. As for the types of drugs, as the Christmas in June However, since the pan- she stated that callers have program, which is continu- demic began, those calling not reported issues with ing to raise funds to help with suicidal thoughts have marijuana. those financially struggling skewed much younger. “I think we have a good through the pandemic. Peo- “Our team is seeing much size problem with metham- ple can call organizer Sam Spayd at 541-991-6139 for more information on the program. “What we try to do is get people started at one point. We try and take it one step at a time to try and stop that snowball effect and turn things around. It’s never Do you part and volunteer today to help support simple. It’s very hard. It’s go- these organizations in our community. ing to take time,” Severance said. She also stated that re- opening business can help as well, getting people back to work. “I’m sure it will help,” she Looking for something to keep you busy but not ready for public said. “I can’t put a number to that. We’re certainly not contact? Florence Habitat ReStore has non-public contact seeing any fewer, in terms volunteer opportunities for you! Call Floyd @ 541-997-5834 of numbers, people who are struggling with depres- sion and suicidal thoughts. I Assisting those in need in our Community. don’t see a decrease in those Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri numbers yet. But again, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM things are just beginning to reopen.” HELPING HANDS COALITION But reopening Oregon af- New Location:Community Baptist Church ter the shutdowns has had a 4590 Hwy. 101, Florence (Across from Fred Meyer) Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer difficult beginning, as can be seen with the older pop- ulation of Florence. Th ere are many opportunities to “I think the elderly have volunteer and a variety of skills probably adjusted better to and talents are always in need. the limitations of the pan- Volunteer interest forms may be relies heavily demic than the younger on volunteers. found online, at the shelter and people,” Severance noted. at our Th rift Shop on Bay Street. www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/ 7.99 9.99 YOUR CHOICE SALE PRICE Raid® 2 pk., 14 oz. Wasp Killer 3M® F 395 830, 913, 396 143, 291 F6 Other sizes available. Tide® 46 oz. 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To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441 Multi-Family Saturday 7/4 9am-3pm 1775 Laurel Place Home décor, fi shing, old cameras, women’s clothing, housewares, TV & mounts, toys. Lots of Great Stuff! We respect social distances. ANNUAL SHELTER COVE NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE July 11th Both Gates Open 9am-3pm Collectibles, glassware, jewelry, antiques, sports & exercise equipment, camping & fi shing gear, furniture, books bicycles, kitchen and household items, décor, tools, original artwork, baby gear, toys, DVDs & videos.