Suicide Prevention Resources - 2007

[Thornton]

Please reserve this thread for resource links.
JT

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
SAMSHA sponsored suicide prevention lifeline
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help/default.aspx

Why Call the Lifeline?
Each month, over 8,500 people speak with a crisis worker by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255). With suicide prevention as our mission, there are a wide range of reasons that people call the Lifeline. Callers are often seeking help with or information on:
Suicidal Thoughts Economic Problems
Information on Suicide Sexual Orientation Issues
Mental Health/ Illness Homelessness Issues
Post-Disaster Needs Physical Illness
Substance Abuse/ Addiction Loneliness
Abuse/Violence Family Problems
Relationship Problems
Who Should Call?
? Anyone, but especially those who feel sad, hopeless, or suicidal
? Family and friends who are concerned about a loved one who may be experiencing these feelings
? Anyone interested in suicide prevention, treatment, and service referrals
Details about the Lifeline
? The service is free and confidential
? The hotline is staffed by trained counselors
? We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
? We have information about support services that can help you

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseac...Page&page_id=1

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2006 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. We are investing in groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration programs and critical policy work. And we are expanding our assistance to people whose lives have been affected by suicide, reaching out to offer support and offering opportunities to become involved in prevention. With a suicide attempt estimated to occur every minute of every day in the United States and 30,000 lives lost each year, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent.

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

The Media and Suicide Prevention

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
http://www.sprc.org/about_sprc/index.asp

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provides prevention support, training, and resources to assist organizations and individuals to develop suicide prevention programs, interventions and policies, and to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Excerpt from Suicide Prevention Resource Center - Customized Information
Role of the Co-worker:
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/co_workers.asp

The Role of Co-workers in Preventing Suicide
Suspecting that a co-worker is considering ending his or her life can be frightening and confusing. You may not know when you should become involved in the problems of someone who is not a family member or close friend. You may be unsure of what you can really do to help someone with emotional difficulties or feel uncertain whether your co-worker is actually in serious trouble. Being wrong could be embarrassing. But being right could save a life. This publication will help you recognize and help co-workers who may be considering suicide.
...

Recognizing the Warning Signs
Each year, more than 30,000 Americans take their own lives. An additional 500,000 Americans visit emergency rooms for injuries related to suicide attempts. A large number of suicides and suicide attempts are related to treatable emotional conditions including depression and other mood disorders as well as alcohol and drug abuse. People often want to conceal their suicidal thoughts, depression, or alcohol and drug abuse. They may be embarrassed by these problems or fear that public disclosure will hurt their careers - although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination in employment because of mental impairment.

People who are in danger of suicide often display warning signs. You may be in a good position to recognize these signs in the people with whom you work - even if they are trying to conceal their problems. You see co-workers on a regular basis and know how they talk, act, and react to stress in the workplace. You can recognize changes in their behavior, personality, or mood. Such changes may be a proverbial "cry for help." Signs that a suicidal crisis is imminent can include:

Talking about suicide or death.
Making statements like "I wish I were dead" or "I'm going to end it all".
Less direct verbal cues, including "What's the point of living?" "Soon you won't have to worry about me" and "Who cares if I'm dead, anyway?".
Uncharacteristically isolating themselves from others in the workplace.
Expressing feelings that life is meaningless or hopeless.
Giving away cherished possessions.
A sudden and unexplained improvement in mood after being depressed or withdrawn.
Neglect of appearance and hygiene.
Sudden unexplained deterioration of work performance or productivity.
There is no foolproof way of telling that someone may be thinking of taking his or her life. But these warning signs can also indicate that a person has serious problems that affect his or her life, productivity, and the work environment. By recognizing and acting on these signs, you can help a co-worker find professional assistance and become healthier, happier, and more productive.
....

Responding to the Warning Sign
You should respond to warning signs that a co-worker may be thinking of suicide. If you are comfortable speaking with this person, you should ask the difficult questions that can help you understand that person's state-of-mind and intentions. Don't be afraid to approach the issue directly and just ask: "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" or "Do you feel like you want to die?" If their response gives any indication that they have been considering suicide or having suicidal thoughts, ask them to find help immediately. Offer to accompany them to your company's employee assistance program (EAP) and make an appointment with a counselor. If your company does not have an EAP, offer to help them find another source of mental health counseling. More information on how to find such counseling is provided below. You can also suggest they call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides crisis counseling and referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you think a person is in immediate danger, do not leave him or her alone until you have found help. This may require mobilizing other co-workers or the person's friends or family. If a crisis seems imminent, accompany your co-worker to an emergency room or community mental health crisis center. If your co-worker is unwilling to seek help or is uncooperative or combative, call 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Tell the dispatcher that you are concerned that the person with you "is a danger to themselves," or "they cannot take care of themselves." These phrases will alert the dispatcher that there is an immediate threat. Do not hesitate to make such a call if you suspect someone may be on the verge of harming him or herself.

Some of your co-workers may be personal friends. You may maintain a more professional relationship with others. And some of your relationships with co-workers may be strained or even antagonistic. If your relationship with a co-worker who may be thinking about suicide is such that you do not want to talk to him or her about these issues, express your concern to someone else - perhaps a colleague who is friendly with that person or a member of the human resources department or employee assistance program (if you have one). If you need help in deciding who can help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
....

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

What are some suggestions for pandemic-related depression? There will be NO professionals available, NO company program, nothing!

.

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

As the resources on the links delineate, there is much that can be done by communities to help prevent suicide without professional mental health resources.
The purpose of an all-hazards preparedness strategy is to ensure availability of services despite adverse circumstances.
The thread on web-based therapies is to provide additional resources available in non-traditional ways.
Efforts now to promote public mental health strategies have the dual-use value of improving services now and ensuring services during pandemics or other disaster circumstances. Remember, most people with significant mental disorders or substance abuse, even in the US, do not have access to specialized professional mental health resources.
A key to mental health is to maintain a richness in problem solving strategies.
The person experiencing distress is less able to tap into these strategies, but as a community we can help each other as a matter of resilience.
As a matter of human history we have every reason to believe that we can confront the challenges of a pandemic by working together.
JT

 

[LMonty]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

I took the liberty of making this a sticky, its an excellent all hazards resource..

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Desapriya EB, Iwase N. New trends in suicide in Japan. Inj Prev. 2003 Sep;9(3):284
http://ip.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/9/3/284-a

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of mortality in the world. It is just as common as road traffic deaths1 and a leading cause of death among the young. 2002 was the fifth consecutive year where there were more than 30 000 suicide deaths. The rate in Japan, 25 per 100 000, greatly exceeds that of the UK (7.4 per 100 000) and that of the US or Germany, 12 and 15.8, respectively.2 In 2002, 32 143 suicides were reported; this is an increase of 3.5% from 2001.
In Japan suicide victims are mostly young adults. Among those 15?24 and 40?54 it is the second leading cause of death and in 25?39 year age group it is the leading cause of death.2 The rate in middle aged men (40?54 years) was five times higher than in women, perhaps because of the association between suicide, unemployment, and economic . .

jt

 

[Thornton]

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

Re: Suicide Prevention Resources

International Association for Suicide Prevention
http://www.med.uio.no/iasp/

IASP is dedicated to preventing suicidal behaviour, to alleviate its effects, and to provide a forum for academians, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers and suicide survivors.

jt