Suicide Family Support

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall in Texas. 
age range between 15-34 suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death
age range between 10-14  suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death
  **in 2017 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey, 7.4% of youth in grades 9-12 reported making at least 1suicide attempt in the last 12          months. 
age range between 35-44 suicide is the 4th leading cause of death
age range between 45-54 suicide is the 5th leading cuase of death

**MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY PEOPLE DIE BY SUICIDE IN TEXAS ANNUALLY THAN BY HOMICIDE**
On average one person in Texas dies by suicide every three hours     
                #of deaths by suicide     Te per 100,000 population                        State Ranking
Texas                     3,403                                      12.44                                                   41
Nationally           44,193                                       13.26
according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
 

WARNING SIGNS
There is no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and dispair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is ofter undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems especially when unaddressed, increase risk of suicide.
**NOT EVERYONE THAT DISPLAYS ANY OF THE TRAITS LISTED BELOW IS THINKING OF SUICIDE OR HARMING THEMSELVES. The point is, if you are CONCERNED you need to take action and talk to that person, LISTEN and DON'T judge. You might feel their life is great but that doesn't mean they feel that way or that it is. God gave you twice as many ears to hear twice as much as your talk. Help them find support and help that will be meaningful to them. 

Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern in the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss or change. 
If a person talks about; 

• Killing themselves
• feeling hopeless
• having no reason to live
• being a burden to others
• feeling trappen 
• unberable pain

• increased use of alcohol or drugs
• looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
• withdrawing from activities
• isolating from family and friends
• sleeping to much or to little
• visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• giving away prized possessions
• aggression 
• fatigue

• depression
• anxiety
• loss of interest
• irritability
• humiliation/shame
• agitation/anger
• relief/sudden improvement

• Mental health conditions
  • ​​​​​​​depression
  • substance use problems
  • bipolar
  • disorder
  • schizophrenia
  • personality traits of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships
  • conduct disorder
  • anxiety disorders
  • serious physical health conditions including pain
  • traumatic brain injury

• previous suicide attempts
• family history of suicide 
• childhood abuse, neglect or trauma
• marital abuse

• Does the person have access to lethal mean including firearms and drugs? 
• Do they have prolonged stress, such as harrassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment? 
• Stressful life events, like rejection, divorce, financial crisis, other life transitions or loss?
• Exposure to another person's suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide? 

1. Talk to them in private
2. Listen to their story
3. Tell them you care about them
4. Ask them directly if they are thinking about harming themselves
5. Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice
6. Believe the person when they tell you they are thinking of harming themselves
   1. Take the person seriously
   2. Stay with them
   3. Help them remove lethal means
   4. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; 1-800-273-8255
   5. Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room
   6. do NOT judge them

• https://mhadallas.org/ Dallas Area listing on support groups, informatino on mental health at work, at shcool and at home. Great website.
• AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION (AFSP) northTX@afsp.org 
• Website www.afsp.org 
• The Texas Suicide Prevention Council (TSPC) is a public-private coalition composed of local suicide prevention coalitions and statewide agencies, including Mental Health America of Texas and teh Texas Department of State Health Services to implement the Texas State Plan for Suicide Prevention. (TSPC) developed and maintains a webside on suicide prevention, intervention and postvention at http://www.texassuicideprevention.org/)
• The Texas Department of State Haalth Services Suicide Prevention Hopepage can be found at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/suicide/Suicide-Prevention.aspx