We can all help prevent suicide. Suicide is complicated, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs and how to get help can save lives.
WARNING SIGNS
A PERSON TALKS ABOUT
Wanting to die, great guilt or shame, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, or that things are unbearable.
SOMEONE FEELING
Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live, extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage, unbearable emotional or physical pain.
A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR
Making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will. Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast. Displaying extreme mood swings, eating or sleeping more or less. Using drugs or alcohol more often.
IDENTIFYING THOSE AT RISK
Through conversations, we can create safe places to share feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, and identify those who really are suicidal. It’s Ok, and most effective to directly ask someone questions about suicide, so that we can assess the severity of their situation.
ASK
Are you suicidal? Have you ever been suicidal?
When was the last time you thought about suicide?
How long have you been thinking about suicide?
Do you have thoughts, are you preparing, or have you planned?
Do you have a plan?
Have you attempted before? When and how?
LISTEN
It’s important to listen without interruption or judgement. Listen to their reasons for being in such emotional pain and for possible reasons to stay alive. And then ask more questions to work to discover the source of pain.
The most common reason people have mental health struggles is due to not feeling connected or no sense of belonging.
DETERMINING THE BEST LEVEL OF CARE
Connecting and belonging are key to prevention.
During the identifying conversation with a person, if red flags are going up based upon their answers to the questions, determine the best level of care. Never guarantee confidentiality when it comes to suicidal ideation. In these cases, do not promise to keep their thoughts/words a secret. Everyone is a mandatory reporter. Privacy can be agreed upon with other less critical mental health issues, but suicidal ideation is not private. Below is a 3-tiered approach to care:
RELATIONAL HELP
People are more likely to open up an seek help from a close relationship with someone they know. Help connect them to their spouse, a friend, a mom or dad, etc. Connecting them to close relationships helps prevent continuation of suicidal ideation. If a person is a minor (under 19), we have an obligation to contact parents.
COMMUNITY HELP
Help them connect to their own community of people. This can be a church community and leaders, or school relationships and guidance counselors.
PROFESSIONAL HELP
Many times, a person benefits from professional counseling or therapy to help them work through their pain. Other times, in extreme cases, a person should be placed on a psychiatric hold for 24-72 hours. Those who would classify as extreme or severe risk are those who 1) are thinking about it, 2) making preparations, and 3) have a plan. (Resources below)
National Suicide Help Lines
Below are 24/7 resources, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
National Suicide Hotline/Lifeline: call or text 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255).
Boys Town National Hotline 402.448.3000 or Text VOICE to 20121
Local Emergency Care Facilities (Greater Omaha)
Lakeside Hospital 16901 Lakeside Hills Ct, Omaha NE 68130 402.717.8000
Immanuel Hospital 6901 N 72nd Street, Omaha NE 68122 402.572.2121
Lasting Hope 415 S. 25th Avenue, Omaha NE 68131 402.717.5550
Boys Town 14100 Crawford Street, Boystown NE 68010 402.448.3000
Med Center 435 Dewey Avenue, Omaha NE 68105 402.552.2000
Jenny Edmundson 933 E. Pierce Street, Council Bluffs IA 51503
RESOURCES
Watch a 60-minute seminar. Chaplain Gale J. Yandell, director of training for the International Fellowship of Chaplains, partnered with Relevant to help anyone identify signs that someone may be suicidal, know how talk with them, how to intervene and support them, and how and when to link them to care. Download the one page seminar notes here.
Suicide Intervention Seminar
Password is “988”
Listen to a 40-minute podcast. Joe Slaubaugh, a Community Counselor with City Care Counseling joined Pastors Ronnie and Nick in a conversation that gives great insight on how to recognize if someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, what to do, and how to lead others when someone has died by suicide. Download a two-page summary of the show notes here.
Leading Through Suicide
From the Relevant Leader Monthly Podcast
“Look for those outside the herd and make contact with them”
You can be a lifeline!
The most common reason people may have mental health struggles is due to not feeling connecting or have no sense of belonging. What if by a simple invitation you can change the course of someone’s life? Look for ones “outside the herd” and make contact with them. Invite them to lunch with the rest of you by saying something like, “Hey we are headed to lunch and we’d love for you to join us” rather than “Hey would you be interested in going to lunch with us?” Connection and belonging are key to prevention.
Looking for professional counseling?
Email us at care@relevantcommunity.org for information about trusted counselors we work with. If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please seek immediate help by calling 988.