The Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is launching a new suicide prevention campaign this holiday season.

Mental health board executive director Joe Trolian said the campaign, "Holidays & Hope, Providing Hope, Preserving Life," will raise awareness about the increasing number of suicides that happen during the holidays and what steps can be taken to prevent an individual from taking their own life.

Trolian said Richland County is facing another high year for suicides this year. He said typically the county has between 9 to 10 suicides a year which is below the state average of 11 per 100,000 people. He said this year the county will have between 14 to 16 suicides.

The "Holidays & Hope, Providing Hope, Preserving Life," will run Dec. 14 through Jan. 15. If you or someone you love needs help call 419-522-HELP or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.