Douglas County parks add 988 crisis signs to prevent suicides

Crews placed 988 crisis signs at Wells Overlook Park and other parks and recreational areas in Douglas County. Engage Douglas County honored the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for the effort, funded by the Sheriff’s Office and guided by dispatch data that identified hot spots.

The project grew out of the first Suicide Fatality Review Board meeting, when the Sheriff’s Office and first responders identified a pattern of crisis calls in parks and recreation areas. Douglas County Public Works began installing the signs in April 2026 at locations around Clinton Lake, Wells Overlook Park, Clinton Lake State Park near both sides of the dams and the Baker Wetlands. The work was part of a broader Mental Health Awareness Month push led by Douglas County organizations.

Suicides in or around parks and waterways accounted for 4.3% of total suicides in 2023, then climbed to more than 20% in both 2024 and 2025. Emergency responders were also dispatched to at least 40 area parks for crisis calls.

The county’s Community Health Improvement Plan sets a goal of cutting the age-adjusted suicide mortality rate from 14.3 to 12.8 per 100,000 population by 2029. The signs are one piece of that effort, and the City of Lawrence plans to add more in parks and public places in Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton.

Stacy Simmons, the Douglas County undersheriff, said the project reflects collaboration and carries the message: “You matter.” Bob Tryanski, the county’s director of behavioral health projects, said the point is to make sure people know help is available by dialing 9-8-8. Megan Bridges, director of crisis services at HeadQuarters Kansas, said many people still do not know about 988 even though it became a national initiative in 2022.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day by calling, texting or chatting. People do not have to be the person in crisis to use it.