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Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention
If you know someone in crisis you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-7889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veteran’s Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk to someone or send a text
message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You can also start a confidential online chat session at veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.

Behaviors that may be signs that someone is thinking of suicide include:
Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves.
Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live.
Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for methods, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun.
Talking about great guilt or shame.
Talking about feeling trapped or being without solutions.
Feeling unbearable pain (either emotional or physical).
Withdrawing from family and friends.
Changing eating or sleeping habits.
Giving away important possessions.
Saying goodbye to friends and family.

If these signs apply to someone you know or to you, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

Here are five steps you can take to help someone in emotional pain:
1) ASK: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” A hard question to ask, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals does not increase suicidal thoughts or actions.
2) KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of prevention. Ask if they have a plan and then removing or disabling the lethal
means can make a difference.
3) BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
4) HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the above listed suicide prevention numbers to your phone so they are there when you need them. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual
like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
5) STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of deaths goes down with someone follows up
with the at-risk person.

For more information go to the National Institute of Mental Health’s website at nimh.nig.gov.
Posted on 10/29/2020