Suicide Prevention

If you or someone you know is at immediate risk for suicide, please call 911 for immediate assistance, or 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Suicide is a problem that cuts through every culture, every race, every social class or income level.  It is the 11^th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 15-24 (AAS).  Or, to put it another way, every 15.2 minutes someone will end their life by suicide.

There has been a lot of research on suicide over the past 40 years, looking at risk factors, and warning signs of the person at risk. But also there has been just as much research on what helps a person at risk, and what caregivers can do to aid someone with their desire to live, however small.  And what is clearly known as a profession is that therapy in conjunction with medication offers hope and help to many people out there.

A significant amount of research has gone into risk factors and warning signs that a person at risk might have or display to let people around them know that something is wrong, that help is needed.  This list is not by any means every possible warning sign you may see, indeed there may be some rare cases where there is no warning, but it represents a good summary of what persons at risk mainly display.

A person at risk for suicidal behavior most often will exhibit warning signs that follow this mnemonic: IS PATH WARM

I Ideation > Expressed or communicated ideation:

•  Threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and/or
•  Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

S Substance Abuse > Increased substance (alcohol or drug) use

P Purposelessness > No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

A Anxiety > Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time

T Trapped > Feeling trapped (like there’s no way out)

H Hopelessness > Hopelessness

W Withdrawal > Withdrawal from friends, family and society

A Anger > Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

R Recklessness > Acting reckless or engaging in risk activities, seemingly without thinking

M Mood Change > Dramatic mood changes

These warning signs were derived as a consensus from a meeting of internationally-renowned clinical researchers held under the auspices of the American Association of Suicidology in Wellesley, MA in November 2003.

It is also important to remember that for every person who loses their life to suicide, there are people left behind with many questions and feelings as a result of this one action. AAS estimates that every suicide will impact an average of six people. This is a generalization, and each suicide can impact many, many people; for example the suicide of Kurt Cobain impacted thousands on a national level.  If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a person to suicide, getting help is normal, and can be important for some. Calling the NSPL is available for you as well.

If you have any other questions, concerns, or are in crisis, please call Third Level at (231) 922-4800 or 1-800-442-7315; or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, of which Third Level is a part at 1-800-273-8522.  A trained crisis counselor is available 24 hours a day to talk with you, work with you on easing your pain, problem solving and finding ways for you to cope, and identifying referrals or next steps for on going help.