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RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:
Center for Disease Control Resources
Understanding SuicideSuicide: Facts at a Glance
MT DPHHS
http://dphhs.mt.gov/suicideprevention/suicideresources
2017 MT Youth Risk Behavior Survey:
http://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/YRBS/17Suicide.pdf
Montana Information to Consider
Montana Suicide Hotline: HELENA (406) 443-5353
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 800 273 TALK (8255)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line: Text MT to 741 741
Suicide Warning Signs:
- TALKING ABOUT DYING ~ “DISAPPEARING; WON’T BE HERE…”
- RECENT LOSS ~ DIVORCE, FAMILY FRIEND DEATH - DEPRESSION
- LOSS OF INTEREST IN HOBBIES, FRIENDS, ACTIVITIES AT ONE TIME LOVED
- CHANGE IN PERSONALITY ~ SAD, WITHDRAWN, IRRITABLE, ANXIOUS, TIRED, RAGE
- CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR ~ CAN’T CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOL OR WORK
- CHANGE IN SLEEP PATTERNS ~ INSOMNIA, SLEEP ALL THE TIME – Falling asleep in class
- CHANGE IN EATING PATTERNS ~ LOSS OF APPETITE OR OVEREATING – Perhaps noted in lunch room
- TALK OF LOSING CONTROL OR HURTING SELF OR OTHERS
- LOW SELF-ESTEEM ~ NEGATIVE SELF-TALK, GUILT, SELF-HATRED – “I hate my life, myself”
- NO HOPE OR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, NO PURPOSE IN LIFE, FEELING TRAPPED
- GIVING AWAY PRIZED POSSESSIONS BECAUSE THEY WON’T NEED THEM
- INCREASED USE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUG PREVIOUS SUICIDE ATTEMPTS – Hear through student convos
- DRAWINGS DEPICTING SELF-HARM OR WRITINGS
And….additional aspects to look for….
- Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as 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.
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
- Withdrawn or feeling isolated.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
- Preoccupation with death.
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
- Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order
HELP – HOW TO BE HELPFUL
- DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK, “DO YOU SOMETIMES THINK ABOUT SUICIDE?” ASKING THE QUESTIONS SHOWS THE PERSON YOU ARE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND IT CAN BE A RELIEF TO BRING THE TOPIC INTO THE OPEN.
- DISCUSS IT WITHOUT SHOCK OR DISAPPROVAL. LISTEN.
- ASK HOW, WHEN, WHY? THESE QUESTIONS TELL YOU HOW SERIOUS IT IS
- IF YOU ARE WORRIED, THEN DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE.
- MAKE A CONTRACT WITH YOUR FRIEND.
- TELL THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
- GET THEM HELP FROM A TRUSTED ADULT.
- ASK THEM TO COME HANG OUT OR JOIN A ROUTINE ACTIVITY