Myrtue Medical Center's Senior Life Solutions Discusses Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide During National Awareness Month
- Posted On:
September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and Myrtue Medical Center’s Senior Life Solutions is working to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy and telehealth program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults living with symptoms of age-related depression or anxiety, dealing with difficult life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255.
Myrtue Medical Center's Senior Life Solutions is joining mental health professionals nationwide to raise awareness and help educate communities about suicide prevention. Myrtue Medical Center is offering a Lunch and Learn on Suicide Prevention & Awareness on Wednesday, September 23, from 12-1:00 PM in Myrtue’s Auble Room. You can use the Conference Center entrance at 1213 Garfield Avenue.
"Suicide is a public health crisis that affects people from all walks of life," said David Bauman, RN, Director of Senior Life Solutions. "By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about mental health, we can help people feel supported and connected to the resources they need. Reaching people early matters. We know it can be difficult to ask for help, but by educating our community, we hope we can show people that it is okay to reach out and ask for help for themselves or a loved one.”
According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide, and they are important to be aware of.
Several risk factors may include:
- A preexisting mental disorder
- Alcohol or substance use disorder
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- Major physical illness
- Job or financial loss
- Loss of relationship(s)
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
“The stigma associated with asking for help and a lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment, can also pose as risk factors to an individual,” said Buman. “We work to lessen the stigma and increase access to behavioral healthcare.”
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline also states that knowing these warning signs may help determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
There are five simple actions anyone can take to help someone at risk of suicide:
- Ask directly if someone is thinking about suicide.
- Be there and listen without judgment.
- Keep them safe by reducing access to means of self-harm and seeking immediate help if needed.
- Help them stay connected to supportive people and professional resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- Follow up with regular check-ins and ongoing support.
For more information, or if an older loved one is in need of help, call Myrtue Medical Center’s Senior Life Solutions program at 712.755.4327.
