Tools and Resources
Warning Signs
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Talking about or making plans for suicide
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Expressing hopelessness about the future
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Displaying severe/overwhelming emotional pain or distress
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Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, particularly in the presence of the warning signs above. Specifically, this includes significant:
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Withdrawal from or changing in social connections/situations
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Changes in sleep (increased or decreased)
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Anger or hostility that seems out of character or out of context
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Recent increased agitation or irritability
Help Can Start With a Question
“Are you thinking about suicide?” communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way. Asking in this direct, unbiased manner, can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. Other questions you can ask include, “How do you hurt?” and “How can I help?” Do not ever promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret.
The flip side of the “Ask” step is to “Listen.” Make sure you take their answers seriously and not to ignore them, especially if they indicate they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Listening to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, as well as listening for any potential reasons they want to continue to stay alive, are both incredibly important when they are telling you what’s going on. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.
Studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. In fact, studies suggest the opposite: findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
Training
SPRC Suicide Prevention Resources: https://training.sprc.org/
Gatekeeper training from QPR Institute (this is fee based training. Donations raised through Hold On will cover cost of training and materials: https://qprinstitute.com/individual-training
Resources after a suicide loss: https://cdphe.stg.colorado.gov/suicide-prevention/after-a-suicide-loss
How to talk to teens: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D08Ui4cdmlifbKgkXtJ08Uu-ErAueVRI/view
Safe-Guard Your Home-A Guide to Suicide Prevention at Home: youth handout English, Spanish Version | adult handout English, Spanish Version - resources for patients on steps to reduce access to lethal means within the home.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Man Therapy
A group focused on exploring Men's Mental Health Resources. https://mantherapy.org/
Colorado Resources
According to a report published by the Center for Disease Control, suicide rates have risen in every state but one and suicide is one of only three leading causes of death that is on the rise.
The report also suggests the following:
- Suicides are rarely because of a single factor
- More than 50% of those who died by suicide did not have a diagnosed mental health condition.
- Firearms were the most common method of suicide and that means restriction is one of the best methods to keep loved one’s safe.
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In a given year, more than 5,000 young people nationally between the ages of 10-24 commit suicide.
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Nationally suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and
Colorado it is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth. Overall Colorado ranks as the 7th highest
For printable materials: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/suicide-prevention/resources-for-emergency-departments-and-suicidal-patients
Zero
The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under the care of health and behavioral health systems are preventable. For systems dedicated to improving patient safety, Zero Suicide presents an aspirational challenge and practical framework for system-wide transformation toward safer suicide care. https://zerosuicide.edc.org/about