1-800-273-TALK (8255) is the national suicide prevention helpline.
Know this number and share it with others. Together we can make a difference on reducing suicide in our communities.
February 23, 2012 - 12:39pm
Posted by: Dr. Mary Bartlett | Comments: 0
February 9, 2012 - 12:38pm
Often, people do not know what to say to a person they suspect may be thinking of suicide.
Comments like the following are said out of discomfort:
- “You’ll get over it.”
- “You have it good compared to others.”
- “You have so much to live for.”
More effective phrases include:
- “I’m worried about you.”
- “This is really serious.”
- "I want you to live.”
These statements are much more effective and can lead a person who is considering suicide to seek the help they need with your assistance.
Don't be afraid to be direct:
If you are concerned about someone you think may be suicidal, be direct and ask the question:
- “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Then, help them find a professional to discuss their thoughts with.
January 26, 2012 - 12:35pm
According to several sources, only 25% of youth say they would tell an adult if a peer was suicidal, more than 86% of parents are unaware of their child’s suicidal behaviors, and most adolescent suicides are precipitated by interpersonal conflict.
Given that suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24, learning more about factors that put youth at risk and factors that best protect them from dying by suicide is something we all need to learn more about.
For more information about youth suicide, visit the American Association of Suicidology.
January 12, 2012 - 1:28pm
The three components to the suicide prevention cycle are:
- Prevention: What is done to educate others to prevent suicide
- Intervention: What is done to intervene and potentially thwart a suicide
- Postvention: What is done following a completed suicide to support those left behind.
We must approach suicide prevention from all three angles. Often, there is a focus on prevention and intervention; however, there is a growing understanding of postvention and its significance in our communities.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can provide a variety of information about postvention, as well as prevention and intervention. This organization is dedicated to researching suicide and supporting survivors who have lost someone to suicide.
December 29, 2011 - 1:11pm
I want to share a few of my favorite books on understanding suicide:
-
Why People Die by Suicide
by Thomas Joiner
-
Comprehending Suicide: Landmarks in 20th-Century Suicidology
by the founder of the AAS, Edwin Shneidma
-
Grief After Suicide: Understanding the Consequences and Caring for the Survivors
edited by John Jordan and John McInosh
Suicide is a public health issue—it affects all of us in some manner, whether you are supporting a friend who has lost a loved one to suicide, you know someone who has a child or teen who has attempted, or you are presently concerned about someone.
If we understand what leads a person to consider suicide, perhaps we can link arms to support those who need us most in times of distress or recovery.
December 15, 2011 - 12:22pm
It is important for family and friends to assess their reactions to suicide. This enables people to better interact with their suicidal loved one, and work to ensure that their own biases don’t negatively impact the process of getting the care their loved one needs.
Questions for self-assessment include:
- Why do people die by suicide?
- What are my beliefs about suicide?
- What have I learned about suicide in my life?
- What type of person kills himself or herself?
- Who do I know that has died by suicide?
- What’s my emotional reaction to suicide?
December 1, 2011 - 12:20pm
When a loved one attempts suicide, people sometimes categorize the act as attention seeking. But consider this: suicide attempts are help-seeking, not attention seeking.
According to Dr. Shneidman, founder of the American Association of Suicide, suicidal thinking is a reflection of profound internal pain, or “psychache,” which a person is feeling. The act of attempting suicide is likely that person’s attempt to eliminate their psychological pain.
The suicide attempt is a mechanism to communicate through physical action the internal pain he or she is unable to say out loud.
November 17, 2011 - 12:16pm
Research indicates that many people who die by suicide communicate their intent, in some manner, to an average of five people before they suicide.
This means there may be five opportunities for people to thwart the suicide of a friend or loved one. The challenge is that these communications are not always delivered to a single person, which makes putting the pieces together difficult.
By being aware of suicide risk warning factors, you may be able to respond to the single communication that comes to you. Be aware of risk factors and warning signs for suicide. For more information go to the American Association of Suicidology.
November 11, 2011 - 12:11pm
Happy 11/11/11!
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, the end of World War I, which was declared on the eleventh hour of the eleventh month of the eleventh day in 1917. Today, Veterans Day is a time to reflect, remember, and give tribute to all members of the Armed Forces who have served our nation defending our freedom.
My husband is a veteran of the Air Force, having served for twenty-five years in the US Air Force. It was during my time as a military spouse that I learned and lived the core value of "service before self." Fortunately, I have the privilege of continuing my commitment to serving military members, their leadership, and their families across all the branches of service--and I am proud that Magnolia Creek shares this ambition in the work that we do.
With sensitivity and respect, we proudly serve Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members and their loved ones who may struggle with eating disorders and suicidal thinking. Eating disorders and suicide know no boundaries and invade the lives of many, including those who are serving our country. We owe a great deal to our veterans, and this week, we salute all the veterans of our country for their valor and service.
Learn more about how Magnolia Creek works with the military here.
