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When a person commits suicide, family members often wonder how they could have saved the life of their loved ones.
Since suicide is often treated as a taboo, there is a misunderstanding about who is at risk and how to save lives, said Judith Harrington, counselor and associate professor at the University of Montevallo. But the signs of suicide can also be subtle and easy to miss, even in intimate relationships.
Using QPR, which stands for "question, persuade, refer," experts in public health and mental health aim to identify and treat suicidal ideation.
Question
"One of the most important things is to ask someone directly if he plans to kill himself," said David Coombs, president of the Alabama Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Resources.
"The essential thing is not to say something like," You do not think about suicide, is not it? "Because it does not require an answer."
Coombs said that being as direct could be embarrassing, but even when people said no, they were sensitive to worry and were open about other issues.
To persuade
If someone answers in the affirmative, then you have to convince that person to accept the idea of improving and getting help from someone else. ;a professional.
"Tell them," You can overcome these suicidal feelings, "Coombs said.
The data corroborate it, showing that serious suicidal ideation is temporary (although it may return for short periods of time during a person's life) and that a disturbance of thinking or thinking Planning a person – something as simple as asking the question – opens a door to the person seeking life – saving help.
Refer
Although Alabama lacks mental health providers in many of its rural counties, there are treatment options with the Department of Public Health and private providers in all urban areas.
For help locating suppliers:
A statewide hotline is available at 1-800-273-TALK
The Birmingham Crisis Center offers a hotline at 205-323-7777
Key statistics to understand who is at risk of suicide
Suicide is a major public health crisis, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:
● Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth under 34
● This is the fourth leading cause of death for people aged 35 to 54.
● Suicidal ideation affects the population based on demographic, socio-economic and racial data.
In the United States and here in Alabama, the majority of suicides are committed by white men:
● White men account for 70% of national suicide deaths
● White men account for 90% of suicide deaths in Alabama
● Men are 3.5 times more likely to commit suicide than women, but women report and are treated for their attempts 1.4 times more often than men.
The majority of suicides are committed by firearms:
● 70% in Alabama
● 50.57% nationwide
Survive a suicide attempt:
● 90% of people who survive a suicide attempt do not die by suicide
● 15% of people who try to commit suicide with a gun survive
In the United States, the majority of firearm deaths are suicides
● 60% of firearm deaths are suicides
● 37% of firearm deaths are murders
● 3% of firearm deaths are accidents
Identify who is at risk of suicide
Learn more about these warning signs at Suicide is Preventable.
● Talk about death or suicide
● imprudent behavior
● Put things in order
● sleep changes
● Feeling desperate, hopeless or trapped
● Sudden mood changes
● Feeling like a burden for others
● No sense of purpose
● Increase in drug or alcohol abuse
● Anxiety or agitation
● Uncontrolled anger
Suicide Prevention Firearms Safety
"When someone is in crisis, take the guns out of the house," Coombs said. "Or make them temporarily a lot less accessible."
If a person in the house is suicidal, the safest place for a gun is outside the home with a trusted friend or family member.
If you need a firearm at home, use the following security measures:
● Store firearms and ammunition separately
● lock the guns in a safe or with a trigger lock mechanism
If you or someone you know suffers from suicidal ideation, call the National Suicide Helpline at 1-800-273-8255. For the full QPR program, contact the Suicide prevention in Alabama and Resources Coalition.
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This story was produced in collaboration with Exchange of information on juvenile justice, a national news site that covers the issue daily. This is part of the JJIE project on gun violence. Support is provided by The Kendeda Fund. The JJIE is solely responsible for the content and maintains the editorial independence.
This story is part of a series on public health and firearms. The first examined groups working to reduce the homicide in Birmingham. The second interviewee Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin the peace initiative of his office.
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