Prevent a suicide by knowing the warning signs

  • By Dr. William Dickinson and Dr. Donald E. Rice
  • Friday, October 5, 2007 4:09pm
  • Opinion

In the United States, more people die by suicide than by homicide.

Each year, almost 30,000 people take their own lives in this country, and 70 percent of those tell someone or give warning signs. Although most depressed people are not suicidal, most suicidal people have depression or a related mental health problem. Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have one or more psychiatric disorders at the time of their death. Fewer than 50 percent of adult and 15 percent of teen suicide victims are in psychiatric treatment at the time of their deaths, however; talking to a loved one about suicide can be difficult and scary.

Many people don’t know how to recognize the warning signs or how to help someone who may be at risk, and friends and family members are often the best resources to prevent suicide. Fortunately, there are ways to treat and control these disorders and recognizing the warning signs and knowing where to go for help are the first steps to helping someone you care about.

Call 911 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider when you hear, say or see any of these behaviors:

n Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself.

n Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means

n Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person

In recognition of National Depression Screening Day, Providence Everett Medical Center will host a free public event at its Colby Campus in the 13th Street lobby from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11 to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide and the correct course of action to take. The program also offers people the opportunity to take a free mental health self-assessment and talk to a counselor about their personal situations.

The program is a free and anonymous public service, so no one should be afraid to go. Becoming more familiar with what to look for and what to do can save a life.

Dr. William Dickinson is medical director of behavioral health services and Dr. Donald E. Rice is a consulting psychiatrist for behavioral health services at Providence Everett Medical Center. For more information about National Depression Screening Day, visit www.providence.org/everett.

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