Suicide
If you or someone you know is having serious thoughts about death or suicide, it is important to seek professional help immediately.
Emergency Helplines
- 9-1-1
- 2-1-1
- Circles of Care: 722-5257
If it is not an emergency, talk to someone, you are not alone!
Contact a therapist, school guidance counselor, psychologist, family physician, or a religious/spiritual leader. Many people have thoughts about ending their lives, and they do not follow through. However, every suicidal statement, plan, and gesture needs to be taken seriously.
A person may be in need of help if they:
- Talk about committing suicide
- Give away personal belongings
- Engage in self-harming behaviors/mutilation
- Increase drug or alcohol use
- Have a change in personality and/or behavior
- Withdraw from others
- Have an inadequate support system (little contact with friends and family)
- Begin to perform poorly at work or school
- Make statements such as “the world would be better off without me”, “I am worthless”
- Have chronic feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Lose interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
If you suspect that someone you know is considering suicide
- It does not hurt to ask. You may save their life!
- Be available; listen, show support, interest and involvement
- Don’t be sworn to secrecy- Encourage them to get help and support from others
Therapy
Suicide occurs when pain exceeds a person’s resources for coping/dealing with pain. Therapists help others find ways to reduce pain, and increase coping resources.