LISTEN, LEARN AND ACT: PREVENT SUICIDE

LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS
Suicide does not discriminate. It affects individuals in all stages of life, causing approximately 123 deaths per day in the United States. Every 12 minutes, someone loses a loved one, a family member, a friend, a coworker or an employee to suicide, but there are actions we can take as a community to save lives.
SIGNS OF CONCERN
- Talking about wanting to die or suicide
- Increased drug or alcohol use
- Anger
- Feeling hopeless, desperate, trapped
- No sense of purpose
- Reckless behavior
- Withdrawal
- Anxiety or agitation
- Changes in sleep
- Putting affairs in order
- Giving away possessions
- Sudden mood changes
ACTION
If someone is showing any or a combination of the above behaviors, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255).
SIGNS OF CRISIS
- Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves
- Someone looking for ways to kill themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means
- Someone talking or writing about suicide, or about death and dying when this is out of the ordinary for them
ACTION
Call 911 or seek immediate help when you hear or see any one of these behaviors.
For more information about warning signs, visit SuicideisPreventable.org. (Source: EachMind Matters)
LEARN HOW TO PREVENT SUICIDE
Begin by following the steps below to make a positive impact and prevent suicides.
ASK
Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
KEEP THEM SAFE
A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
BE THERE
Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
HELP THEM STAY CONNECTED
Studies indicate that helping someone at risk creates a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
FOLLOW UP
Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
SUICIDE RISK FACTORS

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

(Source: Beyond Blue)
STATISTICS

(Source: CDC)
Access more suicide statistics from the CDC's website.
IMMEDIATE RESOURCES
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) – 1-800-715-4225
Help is available 24/7 for individuals struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, problems with developmental disabilities, mental health, addiction drugs, and alcohol. Download the MyGCAL app (Apple and Android) to call, text, or chat with GCAL.
- The Trevor Project – 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
A national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
- Crisis Text Line – Text "HELLO" to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
- Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255

RESOURCES AND EXTERNAL LINKS
- Cobb Collaborative Suicide Awareness and Prevention toolkit
- CDC's "What Is Suicide?" Video
- CDC's Vital Signs Flyer: Warning Signs (pg 3) & How We Can All Help (pg 4)
- DBHDD Suicide Prevention Resources
- National Suicide Prevention website
- Be the One - 5 steps to help prevent suicide
- MYM Speaks podcasts
EVENTS AND CURRICULUM
- Visit our Events page to view upcoming events categorized under "Suicide Prevention."
- We are offering reimbursement for up to 50 individuals to complete the online LivingWorks Start curriculum. This training teaches people to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and helps them learn how to connect individuals at risk to services and support.
- Complete the course, send your certificate to Irene Barton, Executive Director, at ibarton@cobbcollaborative.org, and we will reimburse you the $27.95 fee. Sign up for the online LivingWorks Start curriculum.
This page and its resources are made possible by a grant from: