top of page
Writer's picturelizferrell

HOPE and a Helping Hand: Working Together to Prevent Suicide

By Liz Ferrell, Development & Community Relations Specialist


Call 988! Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. If you are worried about a friend’s social media updates, you can contact safety teams at the social media company . They have processes to reach out to connect the person with the help they need.

Suicide seems like the ultimate tragedy. Learning of a person’s death by suicide brings a chill to the most casual of acquaintances. For close family and friends, no loss brings more trauma, guilt and grief than that of a loved one who actively brought about their own death. The weight of emotions for those left behind seems unbearable, in part because in the aftermath it feels so unresolvable.

 

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “Suicide is an urgent and growing public health crisis. More than 49,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2022. That’s one death every 11 minutes.” In Tennessee, the most recent available numbers, for 2021, reflect 17.5 suicides for every 100,000 people – fully 25 percent higher than the 2021 national rate of 14 suicides per 100,000 people.

 

So how can we help those who are in so much emotional pain? At HOPE we value providing education for our patients but also for the general public. We want to help address some common misconceptions people might have about mental illness and those who struggle with it. And we want you to learn – before a crisis hits – what risk factors exist, what warning signs to recognize, and what to do when you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm.

 

"Society often perceives people struggling with depression as being weak or broken, when in reality they are just sick and want to feel better,” observed Lauren White-May, a Behavioral Health Therapist at HOPE. “They don't want to die; they just don't want to feel empty anymore. We need to remember that it takes much more courage to reach out to others when struggling with mental health challenges than it does to stay silent."

 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month, and members of HOPE Family Health’s Behavioral Health team are reaching out. While the topics of mental illness and especially suicide make many people uncomfortable, it is important that those who need help feel supported in their desire to seek that help.

 

  • Earlier this month HOPE participated in “Break the Silence” an annual event sponsored by Gallatin-based Volunteer State Community College to educate the public about suicide prevention. (Pictured manning the HOPE table at Vol State's "Break the Silence" event are McKenzie Owens, a clinical pharmacist at HOPE who works closely with our Behavioral Health providers and patients to oversee their medications, and Teresa Shaffer, HOPE's Behavioral Health Support Specialist.)

  • This Wednesday, September 25, both the HOPE Westmoreland and HOPE Gallatin locations will make educational materials about suicide prevention available to the public. 

  • We are also providing helpful information for anyone visiting HOPE’s website and social media pages.

 

"By speaking openly about suicide, we break the silence and help reduce the stigma, offering hope to those struggling in the shadows,” said Tyler Norris, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at HOPE. “We want to help you find hope, healing, and the strength to carry on your journey."

 

Common Risk Factors for Suicide

  • Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder

  • A family history of a mental disorder or substance use

  • Chronic pain

  • Personal history of suicide attempts

  • Family history of suicide

  • Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse

  • Presence of guns or other firearms in the home

  • Having recently been released from prison or jail

  • Financial stress and/ or job loss

  • Social Isolation

  • Bullying

  • Impulsive or aggressive tendencies

  • Sense of hopelessness

  • Lack of access to healthcare

  • Discrimination

 

Suicide By the Numbers

  • Gender: The suicide rate for males in Tennessee was 28.7 deaths per 100,000 males compared to the much lower rate of 6.7 deaths per 100,000 females.  The rate for males is higher, because males tend to use more lethal means of completing suicide.

  • Age: Suicide is most prevalent for adults ages 25-44, followed closely by adults ages 45-64 and seniors age 65 and over. While children and young adults ages 10-24 have a much lower rate of suicide than other age groups, the suicide rate for this group showed an alarming increase from 2017 to 2021.

  • Race: In the U.S. White people commit suicide at more than twice the rate of Black people and nearly three times that of other racial groups. In Tennessee, the rate of suicide for White people in 2021 was 19.9 deaths per 100,000, while the rate was 9.5 deaths per 100,000for Black people and 5.4 deaths per 100,000 for other races. However, both Black and White races saw slight increases over a five-year period from 2017 to 2021.

 

Common Feelings, Thoughts and Behaviors During a Mental Health Crisis

  • Unable to stop the pain

  • Unable to think clearly

  • Unable to make decisions

  • Unable to see any way out

  • Unable to sleep, eat or work

  • Unable to get out of the depression

  • Unable to make the sadness go away

  • Unable to see the possibility of change

  • Unable to see themselves as worthwhile

  • Unable to get someone’s attention

  • Unable to seem to get control

 

Common Warning Signs That Someone May Be Experiencing Mental Health Crisis

  • Talking about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live

  • Preoccupation with death and dying

  • Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities

  • Experience of a recent severe loss (especially a relationship) or the threat of a significant loss

  • Recent experience or threat of an experience of humiliation or failure

  • Drastic changes in behavior – including suddenly appearing happier and more carefree than usual

  • Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.

  • Preparation for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements

  • Giving away prized possessions

  • Previous history of suicide attempts, as well as violence and/or hostility

  • Taking unnecessary risks; reckless and/or impulsive behavior

  • Loss of interest in personal appearance

  • Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs

  • Unwillingness to connect with potential helpers

  • General hopelessness

 

Who Can You Talk To?

  • A community mental health agency

  • A private therapist

  • A school counselor or psychologist

  • A family physician

  • A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center

  • A religious/spiritual leader

 

Remember:

  • If you are experiencing a mental health emergency call 988.

  • Know the warning signs – for yourself or for someone you love.

  • HOPE can help! Our Behavioral Health Department sees patients at HOPE Westmoreland and at HOPE Gallatin. We offer counseling with a licensed therapist, medication management by a psychiatric nurse practitioner, coordination of your treatment plan with a clinical pharmacist who works specifically with behavioral health patients, and an individualized integrated health care plan with other HOPE services. For an appointment call 615-644-0479 or 615-644-0482.

 

#####

 

Learn More


 

23 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page