Suicide Prevention
If you are in crisis and need immediate help:
- Call 9-1-1
-
Call the Lake County Crisis Hotline at 440-953-8255
or 440-357-7300 - Go to the nearest hospital emergency department
- Crisis Text Line. Text 4HOPE to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Risk Factors
Suicide is an equal opportunity killer. People who take their own lives are men and women, young and old, rich and poor. Race, religion, family status, social standing or popularity have no bearing on vulnerability for suicide. There are, however some factors that can significantly impact an individual’s risk of becoming suicidal.
They include:
- Mental disorders
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- A family history of suicide
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- A significant loss (death, separation, divorce, moving, breaking up with a loved one)
- Having a long term or fatal illness
- Access to firearms or other lethal methods
- Unwillingness to seek help
- Cultural or religious beliefs — for instance, the belief that suicide is a sin or a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
- Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
- Victim of bullying, intimidation, or harassment
- A traumatic or humiliating event
- Feeling of being a burden to others
- Undiagnosed/untreated depressive illness
Clues/Warning Signs
Verbal clues/direct:
- "I don’t want to live anymore.”
- “I wish I were dead.”
- “I’m going to end it all.”
- “I am going to kill myself.”
Verbal clues/indirect:
- “Life is just too hard – it isn’t worth it.”
- “Mom would be better off without me.”
- “I just can’t take it anymore.”
Behavioral Clues:
- Previous suicide attempts
- Expressions of hopelessness
- A cluster of depression symptoms
- Increased substance abuse
- Unmotivated, irresponsible, uncaring behavior
- Sudden happiness after a long period of depression
- Cleaning up loose ends. Saying goodbyes. Giving away prized possessions. Making a will.
- Quitting a job
Do's and Don'ts
If you think someone is suicidal…
Do’s:
- Do talk openly.
- Do try to instill hope.
- Do reassure them that help is available.
- Do encourage expression of feelings.
- Do listen without passing judgment.
- Do make empathic statements.
- Do stay calm, relaxed, rational.
- Do know how to access resources.
Don’ts:
- Don't make moral judgments.
- Don't tell the person that suicide is a sin.
- Don't argue or lecture.
- Don't encourage guilt. (“Think of how your mom would feel.”)
- Don't promise total confidentiality.
- Don't minimize the situation or offer simplistic solutions.
- Don't leave the person alone.
Other Resources
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
