Suicide Prevention
Together We Are Stronger
Free Suicide Prevention QPR Trainings Online
The Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties is currently offering FREE Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Trainings virtually!
QPR is an hour long, no-cost training that teaches participants to help someone experiencing a suicide crisis. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper participants will learn to:
-Recognize the warning signs of suicide
-Know how to offer hope
-Know how to get help and save a life
These trainings are open to the public and appropriate for any skill level- any member of the community can join! To get upcoming dates and/or register, visit http://mhfatrainingcmha-cei.eventbrite.com/
Suicide: Know the facts and local resources for help
Suicide ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-34-year-olds based on 2018 statistics. The overall rate is the highest it has been in 50 years (approaching 50,000 individuals/year). The number of survivors of suicide loss in the U.S. is more than 5.4 million (1 of every 61 Americans in 2018). A recent (Cerel, 2019) research-based estimate suggests that for each death by suicide, 135 people are exposed (over 7 million annually). As many as 40-50% of the population have been exposed to suicide in their lifetime (Feigelman et al., 2017).
Suicide clearly affects many people in a community, but the good news is that it is a preventable cause of death. Knowing the risks and signs of suicidal thinking or planning can save a life and reduce the numbers. Every citizen is a frontline worker when it comes to suicide. If you find yourself facing a person with suicidal thoughts or intent, do you know how to respond?
Don’t be afraid to ask the question (“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”) and don’t walk away from someone who is showing signs without first getting them connected to a resource and doing so means a safety check, while also keeping yourself safe (call 911 if necessary). Means safety involves making specific methods for suicide less deadly or less available for a suicide attempt and has been shown to reduce suicide rates with respect to firearms and other methods. Leave the remaining care to the professional.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can connect you to a local crisis line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-273-TALK (8255), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org - for other resources go to https://suicidology.org/resources/.
Suicidal Thoughts, Behaviors and Attemps in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties
See chart above for the all-too-high prevalence of suicidal thoughts, behaviors and attempts among all our tri-county youth broken down by different groups. There is clear and compelling evidence, we need to support our tri-county youth and help prevent suicide. See chart below for disturbing trends in African American youth suicide rates nationally.
Intersectionality and Increased Suicide Risk
August 7, 2020, 10:00 - 11:30 - Racial Justice and Youth: In this introductory 90-minute session, participants will engage in discussions and activities that will introduce a number of tools and resources that illuminate the critical relationships between racial justice, diversity, equity, power, intersectionality, and youth development/advocacy work. There is currently a wait list for this program but check back with us for other similar trainings in the future.
August 21st, 2020, 3:00 - 4:30 - Living in the Intersections, Meeting the Needs of LGBTQ African American and Latinx Students: In this workshop, we will explore the concepts of intersectionality, power, privilege, bias, and social justice, and how they play out in schools. We’ll discuss the ways schools create and reinforce systems of oppression for LGBTQ students of color, and strategies to break down such barriers to ensure that these students thrive in school.
Know the Signs
A Young Person is at Critical Risk of Suicide if He/She/They:
Threatens to hurt or kill himself/herself/themself or talks of wanting to hurt or kill himself/ herself/themself
Looks for ways to kill himself/herself/themself by seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means; and/or
Talks or writes about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.
If a youth shows or expresses any of the following behaviors or symptoms, they may signal a suicidal crisis.
An evaluation by a mental health professional is essential to rule out the possibility of suicide and/or to initiate appropriate treatment. Know the resources in your area. Here's a link to the Eaton County Wellness Guide featuring a list of local mental health therapists and supports: You can also text HOME to 741741 for immediate help.
- Feelings of Hopelessness
- Anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping or sleeping all of the time
- Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
- Feelings of being trapped - like there's no way out
- Increase alcohol and/or drug use
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and community
- Rage, uncontrolled anger, expressions of wanting or seeking revenge
- Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking
- Dramatic mood changes, experiencing a recent emotional event (like a breakup)
- Giving away prized possessions
- Loss of prior interests/activities
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group (ECSAAG)
Our ECSAAG Suicide Prevention of Eaton County Committee specifically works to reduce suicide and promote mental health among youth.
Email: ctuell@eatonresa.org
Website: http://www.eatondrugfree.org/
Location: 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI, USA
Phone: 517-541-8912
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECSAAG/