Suicide Prevention Month

This month is suicide prevention month across the nation and is a tragic health issue that many of us have dealt with.  Suicide affects us in many ways in our life and public health is working on acknowledging the signs and informing people how to help and find help for ourselves or loved ones.

In Utah, suicide is the 4^th leading cause of death for adults, making this a major health issue in our state.  Out of about 4000 people who attempt suicide in Utah, 500 die from it.  Suicide is not discriminate and affects all demographics, some more than others.  This is a health problem that often involves mental health issues and if you or someone you know maybe suffering from suicidal thoughts, there is support and help available in a wide variety of sources.

What can you do?

• Join AFSP's Out of the Darkness Community Walks in Salt Lake City, September 19
• Join N.U.HOPE Suicide Awareness Walk in Ogden, September 19
• Attend a QPR course
• Attend the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course held at the health department

Click on the links above to go to the website to join.

Attend the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training course that is being held at the Weber-Morgan Health Department on Sept. 21-22.  To find out about seat availability email Melissa Stenquist at mstenquist@co.weber.ut.us.  Melissa is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Weber-Morgan Health Department.  If you are unable to attend this course, but would like to learn more about other courses available or would like to hold a course, please contact Melissa.

How to recognize and prevent suicide?

Warning Signs and Risks:

·         Feeling alone

·         Physical illness

·         History of depression or other mental illness

·         Family history of suicide or violence

·         Alcohol or drug use

·         Previous suicide attempt(s)

·         Talk about hurting self

·         Mood change

·         Diet and/or sleep patterns change

How to help?

·         Give support and assurance

·         Quickly find support and services to treat correctly

·         Encourage to build strong relationships and connections

·         Spread knowledge of how to prevent suicide

Other sources of help and information:

NAMI

AFSP

NUHope

USU CrisisLine

801-587-3000

Trevor Lifeline(LGBQT)

1-866-488-7386

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 

Suicide is a tragedy that is experienced in maybe one or more aspects of our lives, but that does not mean we cannot stop it.  We can give support when recognizing the signs of suicide and find the help that is needed.  We can also prevent suicidal thoughts for future victims by tackling the problems that may cause these thoughts in a community and stop suicide from becoming an issue for most people.  It is a growing process on learning and preventing suicide and showing that there is always going to be hope and encouragement for anyone suffering.