You Can Prevent Suicide

This past Monday the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention released the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. This is a major update of the previous national strategy, which was released in 2001.

The full report is here, an overview is here, and a video public service announcement is here.

Also among the materials released on Monday was a factsheet, “How You Can Play a Role in Preventing Suicide.” It provides a great deal of valuable statistical and other information about suicide. Most importantly, it lays out the following warning signs and action steps:

WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS

Everyone can play a role in preventing suicide by being aware of the warning signs of suicidal behaviors:

  • Talking about wanting to die; feeling hopeless, trapped, or in unbearable pain; being a burden to others;
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself;
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs;
  • Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless;
  • Sleeping too little or too much;
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated;
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; and
  • Displaying extreme mood swings.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide:

  • Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves. (This will not put the idea into their heads, or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide.);
  • Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255);
  • Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional;
  • Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and
  • If possible, do not leave the person alone.

The WellPower will soon offer suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings to the public. Already available from the WellPower and other providers in Colorado is Mental Health First Aid, which is a certification training that prepares people to recognize and respond to someone with a mental health challenge and connect the person to crisis support systems that can help them recover. For more information and to sign up for a class, visit http://www.mhfaco.org/.

Additionally, with generous funding from the Anschutz Foundation, the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention and Cactus Communications have produced a groundbreaking suicide prevention campaign targeting men called Man Therapy. Check it out at www.ManTherapy.org.