WHY IT MATTERS?

• One person dies by suicide every 15 minutes.
• A suicide attempt occurs every 40 seconds.
• Over 40,000 deaths by suicide each year, and the rate continues to increase.*

What are the warning signs?

• Depression/feeling down, appetite loss, increased sleeping, loss of interest in life activities.
• Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness or feeling unworthy
• Talking about hurting or killing him/her self.
• Substance misuse (cocaine, crack cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, etc.)
• New/old mental health diagnosis, hearing voices, loss of touch with reality.
• Chronic, debilitating or severe pain.
• Severe anxiety that will not go away.
• Severe overreaction to good or bad circumstances.
• Feelings of rage, hostility or revenge.
• Repression of angry feelings.
• Severe internal conflicts, such as overwhelming guilt or anbivalence.

What are the risk factors?

• History of abuse (sexual, physical or emotional.
• Access to weapons
• Previous suicide attempts or threats.
• Family problems.
• Any type of significant loss
• Relationship difficulties (loss or breakup of relationships)
• Legal problems or criminal involvement.
• Severe financial problems.
• Experiencing social isolation or having no emotional support from friends or family.
• Family history of suicide.

What can you do to help?

• Call for help if you’re concerned that the person may harm his/her self.
• Listen in calm, unhurried manner.
• Let the individual talk about their feelings.
• Prevent self-injury
• Plant the seeds of hope.

*Statistics courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control

Offered by Northside Hospital – Behavioral Health Services

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