(Atlantic) September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Cass County Health System’s Senior Life Solutions is working to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy and teletherapy program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults living with symptoms of age-related depression or anxiety, dealing with difficult life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one.
Karmen Roland, Senior Life Solutions Program Director said, “It is important to reach people early. We know it can be difficult to ask for help, but by educating our community we hope we can show people that it is okay to reach out and ask for help for themselves or a loved one.”
According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide and they are important to be aware of.
Several risk factors may include:
A preexisting mental disorder
Alcohol or substance use disorder
Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
Major physical illness
Job or financial loss
Loss of relationship(s)
Access to lethal means
Lack of social support and sense of isolation
Roland added, “The stigma associated with asking for help and a lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment can also pose as risk factors to an individual. We work to lessen the stigma and increase access to behavioral healthcare.”
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline also states that knowing these warning signs may help determine if a loved
one is at risk for suicide:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or isolating themselves
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Extreme mood swings
For more information, or if an older loved one is in need of help, call CCHS Senior Life Solutions program at
712-250-8100.
