September is Suicide Prevention Month
September is suicide prevention month, highlighting the importance of prevention, awareness and sharing messages of hope and support with those who are struggling.
According the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), during 2020, 45,979 people died by suicide in the United States. Beyond that, 12.2 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan and 1.2 million adults attempted suicide. Suicide rates were markedly highest among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native persons.
At Oneida Behavioral Health, suicide prevention is an important part of the services offered for those experiencing substance use and mental health disorders.
National 24/7 help lines, peer support, mental health resources, crisis counseling and many other services are available to help those going through difficult times. One of these resources is the Safe Care Pathway. Through this program, Oneida Behavioral Health providers identify those who may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create customized safety plans to help them distance themselves from harmful thoughts.
The program includes a variety of approaches to support those experiencing despair, trauma, grief, depression or increased substance use. The primary approaches are limiting access to weapons and lethal items, peer support and frequent contact with the individual. Each of these are important because they reduce the opportunity for someone to harm themselves in moments of vulnerability, help them feel less alone and keep them accountable to safety plans.
Help lines are also an effective way to connect with help when the need is immediate. By calling or texting 988 or using the live chat option at 988 lifeline.org, you can connect with someone who can help immediately. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741. If a situation is life threatening, please call 911.
During disaster situations, you can call or text 211 for free assistance with human, social, mental health and other basic needs. Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin also operates a Crisis Center which is available 24/7 by calling (920) 436-8888 when immediate support may be necessary to prevent a situation from becoming dangerous.
Remember, reaching out in the face of unbearable pain is a sign of strength, not shame. If you would like to speak with someone at Oneida Behavioral Health, we can help. Please call our Triage line Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (920) 490-3860.
