• RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:

    Center for Disease Control Resources

    Suicide Facts at a Glance

    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    • CHANGE IN PERSONALITY ~ SAD, WITHDRAWN, IRRITABLE, ANXIOUS, TIRED, RAGE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    • Withdrawn or feeling isolated.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