suicide

Preventing Suicide

August 26, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Pain isn’t always obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide.

Suicide is one of the fastest-growing epidemics around the world. Approximately 44,000 people in the U.S. alone commit suicide each year, with an average of 123 suicides each day. It’s the 10th leading cause of death in America – second leading for ages 25-34, and third leading for ages 15-24. In order to create awareness and strengthen the fight against suicide, September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

In recent years, society has become more open and receptive to discussions and conversations on suicide. However, there is still a stigma surrounding it, and, with suicide rates increasing, it still means that the right help is not reaching people on time.

All of us play a role in both perpetuating the causes of and preventing suicide. Every year during National Suicide Prevention Month, mental health advocates, survivors, friends and family, and mental health organizations across the country and around the world share their experiences and work toward eradicating this most tragic act.

Thanks to National Suicide Prevention Month, approaches to suicide are beginning to change. There’s a stigma connected to suicide, so too often it’s not talked about — and those who suffer from it feel they can’t discuss it. Suicide Prevention Month helps to destigmatize this mental illness and promote conversation.

Know the Risk Factors

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt or die by suicide. They can’t cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they are important to be aware of.

Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders
Alcohol and other substance use disorders
Hopelessness
Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
History of trauma or abuse
Major physical illnesses
Previous suicide attempt(s)
Family history of suicide
Job or financial loss
Loss of a relationship(s)
Lack of social support and a sense of isolation
Stigma associated with asking for help

Know the Signs

Pain isn’t always obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide. The signs may appear in conversations, through their actions or in social media posts. If you observe one or more of these warning signs, especially if the behavior is new, has increased or seems related to a painful event, loss or change, step in or speak up.

Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
Giving away possessions
Putting affairs in order
Changes in sleep, too little or too much
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Extreme mood swings
Withdrawal
Uncontrolled anger
Increased alcohol or drug use
Talking about being a burden to others

Start the Conversation

Talking with and finding help for someone who may be suicidal can be difficult. Here are some tips:

Do talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
Do listen, allow expressions of and accept feelings.
Do get help. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
Do act. Remove means, like weapons or pills.
Don’t debate.
Don’t be sworn to secrecy.
Participate in the fight by getting involved and listening to those who need help.

For more information, go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and development at Polara Health. She can be reached at d.eder@polarahealth.com.

Community Discusses Mental Health Crisis

May 5, 2021 By quadcities Leave a Comment

I urge people to call us on our crisis intervention hotline at 877-756-4090 or walk in at the Crisis Stabilization Units at 8655 E. Eastridge Drive in Prescott Valley.

The impact of more than a year of isolation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to job and housing losses, economic deprivation and personal and social crises, has resulted in radical increases in mental health issues.

That is what leaders of several professional health organizations in the greater Quad Cities community shared during a two-hour town hall meeting last month, sponsored by the City of Prescott at City Hall.

“As we are coming out of the worst of the pandemic, it’s important we talk about how our citizens and their families are doing,” said Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli.

Mengarelli introduced Amy Seets Moore, the mother of Tye Seets. In an emotional presentation, she said she felt compelled to speak out about mental health issues, which had destroyed her son’s life. She said if what she shared could help anyone else understand how important it is to seek out help during times of mental anguish, it was worth the pain she suffered when sharing his story.

Seets graduated from Prescott High School in 2012 and then enlisted in the Army, where he served in Afghanistan. Upon discharge, Seets returned to Prescott and became a firefighter. He married and was the father of a young son and daughter. His mother described how he suffered from stressful military memories and PTSD. His mental issues grew until he took his own life by gunshot March 17.

Moore said she was pleading for people who need support to seek help from professional personnel and agencies, no matter what the circumstances.

Professional Support Available

Several local authorities spoke to describe the kind of help available. Yavapai County Communities Health Services Director Leslie Horton shared data showing alarming statistics for Yavapai County regarding the death rate from suicide and drug overdose. She said that suicides among youth age 17 and younger totaled 31 last year, 18 more than the previous year. She said suicides have increased among older populations, too, more than twice as high as other Arizona counties. She also noted that overdose deaths rose from 82 in 2019 to 86 in 2020.

Spectrum Health Care CEO April Rhodes said that isolation from others had created a critical issue in the healthcare environment, and that citizens need to make an effort to connect with others.

“Behavioral health care is available at our facilities,” said West Yavapai Guidance Clinic CEO Tamara Player. I urge people to call us on our crisis intervention hotline at 877-756-4090 or walk in at the Crisis Stabilization Units at 8655 E. Eastridge Drive in Prescott Valley. We’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Terros Health, which has several offices in the greater Phoenix area, was represented online by crisis manager Michael Lawhon. He said the Terros objective is to offer help to those in crisis at any time. In the past four years, Terros has assisted more than 10,000 people.

Nancy Gardner, program manager for the Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition, told the audience that YJMHC is working to coordinate with all other local services and wants to help those in need make rapid contact by calling 928-554-8593.

Meanwhile, the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) stressed the need for shelter and homes for homeless individuals and families. “Having a roof over your head relieves a lot of stress, and we’re trying to make that happen,” said Executive Director Jessi Hans.

Two local law enforcement leaders – Prescott Interim Chief of Police Amy Bonner and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ethan Stover said each of their respective law agencies had spent hours in training for crisis intervention awareness. They also said more and more cooperation and collaboration among all agencies is occurring to provide residents with up-to-date information about where they can get help for mental health issues.

A limited number of residents were allowed in person for the town hall, and there were an estimated 60 participants online.

Mengarelli concluded the town hall by noting that Prescott city officials will continue to stress the need for ongoing mental health programs for all ages. He said Yavapai County is fortunate to have many agencies that provide counseling, therapy and legal services to address those issues. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Understanding Causes of Suicide During the Pandemic

August 30, 2020 By quadcities Leave a Comment

September is suicide prevention month, and given the dramatic changes in lifestyle necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, it seems appropriate to address how the pandemic has impacted suicide and suicide prevention. But, let’s first look at suicide prior to the pandemic.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among those 10-34 years of age. There were 47,173 suicides reported in 2017. It is estimated that for each suicide, as many as 135 people are affected. Suicide in the U.S. has been estimated at $93.5 billion in terms of economic impact. This is about $300 per person per year. Suicide affects men, seniors and people living in rural areas disproportionately.

As an example, Montana led the nation with 28.9 suicides per 100,000 residents because there are more men, seniors and it is clearly rural. That sounds like Arizona. In addition to a mental health diagnosis, there are other factors that indicate higher risk: A significant relationship problem occurs 42% of the time in suicides, problematic substance abuse is present 28% of the time, a crisis is a factor 29% of the time, physical health problems 22% of the time, and job loss or financial problems 16% of the time. Homelessness is present 4% of the time.

Given these risk factors, it is easy to see how the pandemic could cause a significant increase in suicides. With people required to stay at home, there has been an increase in domestic violence. Clearly, this indicates increased relationship problems and a potential crisis. It has already been found that there is increased substance use during the early stages of this pandemic. Clearly, there are job losses and financial problems that have increased as a result of the requirement for people to avoid restaurants, bars, gyms, travel and services in general. There have been dramatic increases in unemployment and resulting financial problems. Dramatic increases in homelessness could be on the horizon. Physical health problems could result from reduced treatment and prevention because of the strains on the healthcare system, and that is not including those becoming ill as a direct consequence of the virus. There is evidence of chronic illness increases because of becoming infected. Perhaps the most pervasive, yet hard to assess, is the loss of support as we stay at home, cutting us off from significant supportive relationships. We also have a difficult time assessing the impact of anxiety and stress from fear of getting ill for those most vulnerable, and fear for our loved ones. But, most importantly, almost one-half of Americans reported in a survey that the pandemic was worsening their mental health. And there is the rebound of the COVID-19 illness after an initial downturn, dashing hopes of a quick return to normalcy. Hope is an important antidote to suicidality.

Suicide prevention has never been more important and more challenging. The concerned person needs to make the effort to reach out by phone and virtual contacts to those at risk. The National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Those at risk should try to reduce the use of substances and get outdoors and exercise safely. There is help available as our local Community Mental Health providers have rapidly expanded telehealth capabilities; 12 step and other support groups have gone virtual. The WYGC Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is promoting care by telephone calls to 928-445-5211 ext. 3900, which takes you directly to the CSU. Telehealth is available or you can walk into the CSU or the Windhaven facility 24/7.

Remember, you are not alone. QCBN

By David Fero, Ph.D.

David Fero, Ph.D., is a West Yavapai Guidance Center (WYGC) Foundation Board Member.

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