LISTEN, LEARN AND ACT: PREVENT SUICIDE

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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

If you have determined that an individual is displaying the warning signs of suicide, learn of ways you can provide help. We have a great variety of resources to assist you.

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

Suicide Risk Factors
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PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Protective Factors
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(Source: Beyond Blue)

STATISTICS

CDC website suicide-more-2021

(Source: CDC)

Access more suicide statistics from the CDC's website.

ACT AND TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO PREVENT SUICIDE

There are a variety of ways for you, your organization/institution and your community to participate in suicide prevention. Some of the ways you can help create awareness include:

  • Creating awareness on social media
  • Sharing statistics about suicide awareness and prevention
  • Training your staff members and volunteers about risk factors, protective factors and more
  • Distributing helpful information relevant to your audience and community
  • Sharing educational resources

 

COMING SOON: Communication templates that you can use and update as needed to inform your audiences and help prevent suicides. In the meantime, please refer to the resources listed below.

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
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RESOURCES AND EXTERNAL LINKS

EVENTS AND CURRICULUM

 

 

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