September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Fayette
County Memorial Hospital’s (FCMH) Senior Life Solutions is working
to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning
signs of suicide. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or
someone you know, are thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy and tele
therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults living
with symptoms of age-related depression or anxiety, dealing with difficult
life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one.
Angie Mellott, RN Program Director for FCMH Senior Life Solutions, said,
“It is important to reach people early. We know it can be difficult
to ask for help, but by educating our community we hope we can show people
that it is okay to reach out and ask for help for themselves or a loved
one.”
According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, risk factors are characteristics
that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by
suicide and they are important to be aware of.
Several risk factors may include:
• A preexisting mental disorder
• Alcohol or substance use disorder
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• Major physical illness
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Access to lethal means
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation
“The stigma associated with asking for help and a lack of healthcare,
especially mental health and substance abuse treatment, can also pose
as risk factors to an individual. We work to lessen the stigma and increase
access to behavioral healthcare,” Mellott added.
Knowing some key warning signs may help determine if a loved one is at
risk for suicide. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline suggests being aware
of the following:
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like 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
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings
For more information, or if an older loved one is in need of help, call
FCMH’s Senior Life Solutions program at 740-333-2226.