Linea de suicidio y crisis; 988

 

New Suicide and Crisis Line, National Number 988

 

If you are feeling suicidal please reach out.  If you are in crisis please reach out.  Stickers from SAMHSA.

Suicidal Thoughts? Let's talk about it.

This is a small document from Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services.  It promotes calling the suicide and crisis line to deal with trouble coping with change, chronic back pain, thinking live is not worth it, feeling isolated, feeling you are a burden to others, feeling abandoned or betrayed, feeling ashamed, having no purpose, having sudden mood changes, giving away possessions, doing careless things, increase in alco or drug usage, withdrawing, financial stress, chronic illness, death or suicide of a loved one, conflict with family, other don't understand you,
Please, if you need to talk, they are there 24 hours.

National suicide prevention line serving the Kingman area.  (800) 273-8255

Crisis Intervention Service, Suicide Prevention Service

When You Fear Someone May Take Their Life

This pamphlet is from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  It is not big on graphics and pictures, but very good on the information provided.
90 percent of people who commit suicide are suffering from a treatable mental disorder including: depression, bipolar depression, alcohol abuse or dependence, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress, drug abuse, eating disorder or personality disorder.  Most of these disorders are recognizable and treatable.  Another telling sign for suicide risk is past attempts.  Access to easy means is also a risk factor. 
Things that could signal risk for suicide include suicide threats or threats to hurt others, looking for means to commit suicide, talking or writing about death and suicide plans.  Other warning signs include withdrawing form family and friends, increased alcohol or substance use, engaging in violent behaviors and acting reckless. 
If someone mentions they are suicidal it should be taken seriously.  Be willing to listen.  If you see signs don't be afraid to ask if the person is considering suicide.  Don's try to argue the person out of suicide. 
Seek professional help.  Persons contemplating suicide sometimes don't think they can get help, but there is help available.  In an acute crisis do not leave the person alone, remove means for suicide--fire arms, pills, knives, etc.  Take the person to a crisis center, or lacking this to the nearest hospital.  9-1-1 is always an option; as are suicide prevention lines.  1-800-273-8255 is a national hotline.  Santa Clara County the hotline is 1-855-278-4204.
Persons with suicidal thoughts often hesitate to seek treatment.  You can support them in seeking treatment.  Also medications have side effects and you can help them through this.  It is also important to stick with treatment.  The first medication is not always the right medication.

Firefighters: Suicide Prevention

The Firefighters Mind Shield, Social Work Matters magazine, The University of Utah, College of Social Work, 2017-2018. 
Fire fighting is the profession with the highest rate of suicide attempts, suicide thoughts and suicide completions.  In fact, more firefighters die from suicide each year than from the job.  The rate of suicidal thoughts among firefighters approaches fifty percent, while the general public is five to fifteen percent.  (This must be incident of suicidal thoughts in the past year.)  Accidental mishaps are also very high among fire fighters. 
A firefighter is provided with protective equipment; however that equipment does not often include how to protect the mind.  Mind Shield is a cognitively based, mindfulness approach.  They have been training Salt Lake City firefighters in how to protect the mind with cognitive skills.  This includes a 90-minute educational session on Brain Burn (Post Traumatic Stress.)   The second part focuses on specific tools to protect the mind.  It is geared to keeping the mind at a higher level processing and problem solving, rather than a primitive level where we react to fear.  the third part focusing on strained relationships firefighters may have.  this session involves family members so they too can be aware of the struggles. 
Results of the study have not yet been published, but about half of the firefighters of Salt Lake have received the training.

Suicide Prevention at LDS.org

lds.org has a page dedicated to suicide prevention.  This page has a myriad of resources which can be accessed by clicking on the drop menus buttons throughout the article.  This page has information for both the individual who may be having suicidal thoughts, as well as those who may be interacting with someone who is suicidal.  I would invite you to check it out. 

Documentary The S (suicide) Word

http://theswordmovie.com/  The S Word Movie is an attempt to get people talking about suicide, rather than sweeping it under the  rug.  Suicide is a problem that effects so much of our population, either from someone we know, as our self survivors of an attempt, or from being a member of our communities.  This movie shares stories we would not have other wise heard.  I presents from the Black culture, gay culture, hispanic culture and asian culture.  It presents both those who have attempted, and those family members of someone who suicided.  All have their own story to tell. 
warning: If you are sensitive to gay issues, then this might not be the best movie for you, as gay issues seem to dominate a good deal of the movie.  However, it is time we broke the silence about suicide, and in so doing offer support to others to help us all get through.

Mormon Newsroom: Working Together to Reduce Suicide and Depression

This article from the Mormon Newsroom highlights that September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  It offers some practical advice on how we can help.  Among other things it suggests reaching out to those who may need our help, as isolation is one thing that increases the rate of suicide.  It especially advocates that we cannot leave our children and youth feeling isolated.  This especially includes young people who are struggling with any issue, including same sex attraction.  If people we know are dealing with loneliness, depression or isolation, we should reach out with love.  This article quotes and article from Jeffrey R. Holland, "Like a Broken Vessel," which is also worthy of review.

Tagalog: Know the Signs

We can all become helpers when people are feeling down or suicidal.  The first step is to know the signs.  Someone who is suicidal my:
Talk about death or wanting to die
Seek methods for self-harm
Feel hopeless, trapped, desperate
Give away possessions
No longer do things the normally enjoy
Put affairs in order
Be angry
Have sudden mood changes
Change sleep patterns
Have no sense of purpose
Increase drug or alcohol usage

After recognizing the signs, you must enter the conversation.  It is hard to accept that someone may be thinking about taking their own life.  Start the conversation by mentioning the warning signs you have observed.  Then ask the question, "Are you thinking of suicide?"  Then listen, express concern, give reassurance, and listen. Use the suicide hot line if you feel someone is suicidal.

Pain Isn't Always Obvious" Know the Signs: Suicide Prevention

We can all become helpers when people are feeling down or suicidal.  The first step is to know the signs.  Someone who is suicidal my:
Talk about death or wanting to die
Seek methods for self-harm
Feel hopeless, trapped, desperate
Give away possessions
No longer do things the normally enjoy
Put affairs in order
Be angry
Have sudden mood changes
Change sleep patterns
Have no sense of purpose
Increase drug or alcohol usage

After recognizing the signs, you must enter the conversation.  It is hard to accept that someone may be thinking about taking their own life.  Start the conversation by mentioning the warning signs you have observed.  Then ask the question, "Are you thinking of suicide?"  Then listen, express concern, give reassurance, and listen. Use the suicide hot line if you feel someone is suicidal.

13 Reasons Why: Should Parents Be Concerned About This Netflix Series?

Here is a very good article about the !3 Reasons Why series from 700 Children's by John Ackerman Phd..  It contends that this film does not take adequate safeguards against suicide contagion, which is sometimes a problem with young people.  It concludes with a graphic portrayal of the suicide, which is confusing and can lead vulnerable individuals to copy cat suicides.  It also portrays suicide in a romanticized fashion.  The main character, Hannah Baker, blames her suicide on those around her, in an almost vindictive manner.  In truth, people who commit suicide are not able to blame others because they are dead.
There are a couple flaws, this article contends.  Someone in emotional crisis does not take the time to make videos to explain why people are the cause of their suicide.  they lack the energy as well as the time to do this.  Secondly, it appears to say that suicide is the natural consequence of the things in Hannah's life.  While bullying, sexual assault, failure to see the signs, starting rumors, etc or tragic and painful; they do not have to lead to suicide.  They are not the cause in the end of a completed suicide.  Also the series seems to say, that only in making a big decision, will others feel your pain.  This does not have to be the case.
The makers of this series may say that bringing increased attention to suicide out weighs any increased risks.  They do not.  However there are suicide prevention resources available for those who want to become involved.  There are also crisis lines for those who wish to reach out: 1-800-273-8255. 

Talking Points: 13 Reasons Why

I don't do this often, but thought it important to deliver the message in this flyer from the Jed Foundation.  You can click on the header for the original location.  

13 REASONS WHY

www.save.org | www.jedfoundation.org

13 Reasons Why is a fictional story based on a widely known novel and is meant to be a cautionary tale.

You may have similar experiences and thoughts as some of the characters in 13RW. People often identify

with characters they see on TV or in movies. However, it is important to remember that there are healthy

ways to cope with the topics covered in 13RW and acting on suicidal thoughts is not one of them.

If you have watched the show and feel like you need support or someone to talk to, reach out. Talk with a

friend, family member, a counselor, or therapist. There is always someone who will listen.

Suicide is not a common response to life’s challenges or adversity. The vast majority of people who

experience bullying, the death of a friend, or any other adversity described in 13RW do not die by suicide.

In fact, most reach out, talk to others and seek help or find other productive ways of coping. They go on to

lead healthy, normal lives.

Suicide is never a heroic or romantic act. Hannah's suicide (although fictional) is a cautionary tale, not

meant to appear heroic and should be viewed as a tragedy.

It is important to know that, in spite of the portrayal of a serious treatment failure in 13RW, there are many

treatment options for life challenges, distress and mental illness. Treatment works.

Suicide affects everyone and everyone can do something to help if they see or hear warning signs that

someone is at risk of suicide.

Talking openly and honestly about emotional distress and suicide is ok. It will not make someone more

suicidal or put the idea of suicide in their mind. If you are concerned about someone, ask them about it.

Knowing how to acknowledge and respond to someone who shares their thoughts of emotional distress or

suicide with you is important. Don’t judge them or their thoughts. Listen. Be caring and kind. Offer to stay

with them. Offer to go with them to get help or to contact a crisis line.

How the guidance counselor in 13RW responds to Hannah's thoughts of suicide is not appropriate and not

typical of most counselors. School counselors are professionals and a trustworthy source for help. If your

experience with a school counselor is unhelpful, seek other sources of support such as a crisis line.

While not everyone will know what to say or have a helpful reaction, there are people who do, so keep

trying to find someone who will help you. If someone tells you they are suicidal, take them seriously and

get help.

When you die you do not get to make a movie or talk to people any more. Leaving messages from beyond

the grave is a dramatization produced in Hollywood and is not possible in real life.

Memorializing someone who died by suicide is not a recommended practice. Decorating someone’s locker

who died by suicide and/or taking selfies in front of such a memorial is not appropriate and does not honor

the life of the person who died by suicide.

Hannah's tapes blame others for her suicide. Suicide is never the fault of survivors of suicide loss. There

are resources and support groups for suicide loss survivors.

TALKING POINTS

If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide... Talking points by:

Text START to 741-741

Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

13 Reasons" Why Not to Watch"

This film came up at a meeting I was attended.  there were crisis counsellors there, who shared anecdotally that crisis calls have gone up among teens since this movie came out.  In other words, suicide attempts were more frequent, but not necessarily completions.  Many people are concerned, and mental health professional are suggesting to watch this as a family, rather than allowing youth to watch it alone.  there are too many misconceptions about suicide.  This is a common expression:
“'We are concerned about our children watching this series without adult supervision because it romanticizes and sensationalizes the idea of suicide,' Lisa Brady, superintendent of schools in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., wrote in an email to parents." (From article by Catherine Saint Louis.)
On the other side of the equation are those that say it gives a good depiction, and provides a talking board.  However the National Association of School Psychologist advise teens who have a history of suicidal thoughts to avoid this series all together.  Crisis and suicide workers agree.  
If one child completes a suicide as a result of watching this film, that is one too many.

Surviving Suicide

Surviving suicide when you are young is important, because there is still a whole life ahead of you.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Interesting how she felt suicide was the only option.

Suicide Prevention: LivingWorks

This is a pamphlet from Living Works entitles Imagine a suicide-safer community.  It then describes several training programs provided by this program:  these include: esuicideTALK, suicideTALK, safeTALK.  This program has as its objectives training people to move beyond brushing over suicide, being able to recognize those who are suicidal, and applying steps to connect people with help when they are suicidal.  The other programs are ASIST and suicideCARE

Reconozca Los Senales: Suicide is Preventable

What would you do if you knew I wanted to suicide?

Suffering is not always noticed

Recognize the signs

listen and discuss

seek help

MY3 Wallet Size: Suicide Prevention App

This is a wallet size card for the MY3 suicide prevention app.

**Sitting on the Bench: Thoughts on Suicide Awareness and Prevention

This is an important video for all to watch, those who may be having thoughts of suicide, to those who may be able to reach out to someone who has such thoughts.

Suicide, Youth and Utah

This article now indicates that suicide is the leading cause of death among adolescents in Utah.  This is significant.  The article includes ideas on suicide prevention.  They are losing 600 youth a year.

Find a Suicide Walk in Your Area

Out of the Darkness Walks are coming to your area.  I have noted there is one in San Jose, and there is one in Modesto.  This is an effort to put light on suicide, and to raise money for suicide prevention efforts.  This walk is sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.   Even if you don't intend to walk, check out the website as it provides information on suicide and efforts to prevent suicide.  Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and fourth leading cause in adult 16-65. In 2014 there were over 40,000 reported completed suicides in the United States.  The website says that 90 percent of people who complete suicide have a diagnosable mental health problem.  It then goes on to say:

The best way to prevent suicide is through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of depression and other mental health conditions.