You At Your Best

This year, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that suicide has become one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2018, 547 people died by suicide in Arkansas, making it the leading cause of violent death that year according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The suicide rate is especially high among men, who are almost four times more likely than women to commit suicide, based on 2017 figures (the most recent available). According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide tends to occur when different experiences and health issues cause feelings of hopelessness or despair. Depression is often associated with suicide, but other mental health conditions can be linked as well. Those include anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and schizophrenia. The American Psychological Association lists these warning signs that a person may be struggling with suicidal thoughts: • Talking about wanting to commit suicide, feeling hopeless or wanting to die • Withdrawing from friends, loved ones and activities • Drastically changing sleeping habits, whether sleeping too much or too little • Giving away possessions or visiting others to say goodbye • Increasing use of drugs or alcohol If you or someone you know exhibits these warning signs, seek help immediately, particularly if there have been previous suicide attempts or the individual has suffered childhood trauma or experienced a family history of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741. It's important to ask for help when you need it, said Velvet Reed-Shoults, MBA, MHA, RN, CEN, TCRN, CBIS, CLNC, director of clinical outreach at Northwest Health. "I encourage them to talk to someone," Reed-Shoults said. "Talk to anyone that you're comfortable talking to. Let them know what you're struggling with, let them know if you have a plan." Recent studies show firefighters and police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017, 103 firefighters and 140 police officers died by suicide, compared to 93 firefighter and 129 officer line-of-duty deaths, according to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that fights for the rights of people with disabilities. While there are classes and other resources available, Reed-Shoults said first responders don't always take advantage of them. Those who are considering suicide, through their words and actions, usually invite others to help them in making a choice for life. There is a program called safeTALK that can help teach people to recognize these invitations, engage with the person with thoughts of suicide and connect them with resources to help them be safer from suicide. Reed-Shoults is a safeTALK trainer who offers this course free to community members including pastors, teachers, high school students, UAMS medical students and more than 30 youth pastors at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville. She also teaches Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), LivingWorks' two-day suicide intervention skills workshop that involves establishing a collaborative relationship to work through suicide to a place of safety. To learn more about the trainings and resources that are available for your group, business, or school, visit https://bit.ly/3b2qVE3. sPonsor content Seeing the warning signs of suicide Talking with someone who is considering suicide can be scary, but it's crucial to reach out if someone you love is suffering. Researchers from Western Michigan University have found that as many as 75 percent of all people considering suicide give some warning of intention to a loved one. These individuals frequently seek a way to end the pain they are feeling, and they may believe death is their only option. You can let them know this is not the case. Be aware of the warning signs and let them know you are available to help. Be direct, open and honest about your concerns for their well- being. Encourage the person to seek professional help, either through a counselor or a physician. Talk Through iT according to the national institute of Mental health (niMh), suicide was the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34. the american Foundation for suicide Prevention states that 25 people will attempt suicide for every one person who dies from it. the niMh states that there were twice as many suicides as homicides in the u.s. in 2017. At Northwest Health's Behavioral Health Unit, we focus on helping individuals achieve optimal mental health in a professional, caring environment. Treatment services available include 24-hour behavioral health monitoring and supervision, behavioral health diagnostic assessment and evaluation, medication stabilization and management, individual and group therapy, recreation therapy, family therapy, patient and family education and discharge and aftercare planning. Accepting adult patients 24 hours a day. More information available by calling 479-757-1400. About Northwest Health's Behavioral Health Unit 4 | You at Your Best | nWaDG.coM/YouatYourBest June - active MinDs | sunDaY, MaY 31, 2020

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