Everyone Plays A Part In Preventing Suicide

Recognize The Warning Signs and Connect to Help

Individual Protective Factors

  • Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs
  • Help-seeking behavior
  • Friends and supportive significant others
  • Hope for the future
  • Having goals
  • Pets/Connectedness to others
  • Good problem-solving skills

Family Protective Factors

  • Strong interpersonal bonds, especially with family and adults
  • Family cohesion
  • Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
  • Ability to cope and handle crises

What families can do to help their children feel connected:

  • Children who eat regularly with their families are less likely to smoke, drink, use illegal drugs, have sex at young ages, get into physical fights, be suspended from school, or have thoughts of suicide.

Examples of Suicide Risk

Keep in mind that ONE of these risks alone, does NOT mean suicide is imminent.  Look for combinations of risk factorsLook for changes in behavior/mood.

  • Difficulties at school, work
  • Neglect of appearance, hygiene
  • Dropping out of activities
  • Sudden improvement in mood after being down or withdrawn
  • Giving away favorite possessions

 Warning Signs for Suicide:  Cause for Concern

  • Feeling hopeless
  • Feeling rage or uncontrollable anger or seeking revenge
  • Feeling trapped – like there’s no way out
  • Dramatic mood changes
  • Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
  • Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities – seemingly without thinking
  • Increasing alcohol or drug use
  • Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
  • Feeling anxious or agitated; being unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time

 Warning Signs For Suicide:  Cause for Immediate Action!

  • Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
  • Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
  • Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

Connect with Help

  • Local community mental health center
  • Primary care provider
  • School nurse/guidance counselor
  • Pastoral counselor
  • Other qualified professionals
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Vermont 2-1-1

Things to remember about Suicide…

  • Suicide is generally preventable.
  • We all have a role and responsibility in preventing suicide.
  • Recognizing risk factors and warning signs is the first step to preventing suicide.

Resources about Mental Health & Suicide

Suicide Prevention Resources

You are not alone!

If you or someone you know is suicidal . . .

U Matter

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

www.afsp.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7):

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention:

www.mentalhealth.org/suicideprevention

For Mental Health Emergencies

In the Lamoille Valley:

Lamoille County Mental Health Emergency Services  Call (802) 888 5026

In Vermont:

United Way of Vermont (24/7)  Call 2-1-1

Across the U.S.A:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7)
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Press “1” for Veterans

American Association of Suicidology:

www.suicidology.org

The Vermont Youth Suicide Prevention Project:

UmatterUCanHelp.com

UmatterUCanGetHelp.com

Center for Health and Learning

802-254-6590

NAMI Vermont:

(National Alliance on Mental Illness, Vermont)

www.namivt.org

802-244-1396

Suicide Prevention Resource Center:

www.sprc.org

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

www.actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org

Want to help at a deeper level?

Get more info or training!  Contact:  Nicole Miller at the Center for Health and Learning:  mailto:nicole@healthandlearning.org.