Suicide Prevention – Warning Signs and How to Help
Have you or someone you know lost a loved one to suicide? While it is not an easy topic to discuss, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, especially among young people.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention month, below are warning signs provided by the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Talking about wanting to die
- 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 anger
- Extreme mood swings
If you or a loved one are considering suicide, please use the resources below.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7, is free and confidential and provides support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved one.
- Take an online screening. Memorial Behavioral Health offers an anonymous, free mental health self-assessment. You’ll receive immediate, customized feedback as well as the opportunity to schedule an appointment for further evaluation if necessary.
- Contact a provider at Memorial Behavioral Health. Memorial Behavioral Health is providing telehealth and phone appointments with their patients. In addition, MBH has established an emotional support hotline, available at 217-588-5509, to provide support to individuals who are experiencing anxiety or stress, even if they are not MBH patients.