Life Crisis Services is one of the Nation’s oldest hotlines, founded in 1966

2. Life Crisis Services is one of the Nation’s oldest hotlines, founded in 1966 • Services are available 24/7 by phone • Mission to provide excellent suicide and crisis intervention • Answers about 17% of callers at some risk for suicide

3. Reasons to call 314.647.HELP(4357) 1.800.273.TALK (8255) • Suicidal • Depression • Stressed • Anxiety • Lonely • Substance abuse • Referrals • Gambling • Anger • Bullying • Family/Relationships • Grief • Recent Loss • Self-Injury • Concerned about a loved one

4. What does a call look like? • All calls are assessed for suicide • If not suicidal • Crisis worker will talk with you regarding your crisis situation • Will develop an action plan • Determine if any resources are available • Provide referrals in your area • Summarize conversation

5. What does a call look like? • If suicidal, • Contract for safety • Time frame • Method • Availability • Previous attempts • Talk through crisis • Schedule follow-up

6. What’s the risk? • It’s important to ask, “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” • Missouri ranks 22nd*(2010) in the nation • 10TH leading cause of death in 2012 • 38,364 death nationally • 901 deaths in Missouri • (15/100,000) • More suicides than homicides

7. Reasons for suicide • Desire to stop the pain • Overwhelming grief • Facing a painful terminal illness • Responding to “voices” or hallucinations • To avoid punishment or public disgrace • Permanent solution to a temporary problem

8. If you are having thoughts of suicide • Having thoughts of taking your life • Isolation • Struggling with depression • Struggling with stress • Struggling with anxiety • Other mood disorders • Feelings of hopelessness • No purpose in life • Recent loss

9. If you know someone who is having thoughts of suicide?

10. Recognizing the warning signs • Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead • Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun • Talking about a specific suicide plan • Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live • Feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation

11. Recognizing the warning signs • Having the feeling of being a burden to others • Feeling humiliated • Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks • Losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure • Insomnia

12. Recognizing the warning signs • Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others • Acting irritable or agitated • Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the person describes seem real • Take all threats seriously

13. What to do? • Again, ask are you having thoughts of suicide? • Question • This invites the individual to answer freely • Never use reverse psychology on a person • Never say, “You’re not going to do something stupid are you? • Saying the word suicide does not plant the idea

14. Ask about a PLAN • When are you planning to do this • How long have you been thinking about this • Where do you plan to do it • How do you plan on doing this • The more detailed the plan the higher the risk

15. Have you noticed…. • Changes in sleep, appetite, or weight • Isolation • Feeling of hopelessness/helplessness • Talks or jokes about death/dying • Mood • Loss of interest • Worthlessness

16. Have you noticed… • Substance Use/Abuse • Risk is higher when a person is intoxicated • Frequency of use is a factor • Previous Attempts • How many/How recent • Escalated Attempts? • 2 ways this is a factor

17. Have you noticed… • Loss • Significant relationship/job • Real or perceived • The more recent, the higher the risk • Psychiatric Care • Previously diagnosed • Recent hospitalization

18. Risk levels: • Low Risk: ideas or thoughts about suicide; no or vague plans, no time frame, no access to means. • Medium Risk: Some details in the plan, means defined, time frame more than 24 hours.

19. Risk levels: • High Risk: Well thought out plan, time frame less than 24 hours, ready access to means, several other factors present. • Immediate High Risk &/or Suicide in Progress: Well defined plan, means at hand, attempt imminent.

20. What to do • Take all threats seriously • Acknowledge the person’s problems and feelings • Separate him/her from the means • Determine the next steps • Get a commitment from him/her to get help • Mobilize or transport as situation dictates

21. Don’ts • Never use ‘reverse psychology” • Don’t argue about the ‘right to suicide’ • Don’t minimize the person, their feelings or the situation • Don’t tell the person he/she has everything to live for

22. DO • Contract for safety • Get people involved • Call 911 or take person to ER • DO NOT promise to keep a secret, promise to help • Find resources in the community

23. Went live November 2013 with LCS • Provides peer support for individuals with depression, mental illness, and general “down” or “blue” feelings • Allows users from all over the world to connect with others • 24/7 FKB Hotline for users (answered in Crisis Room) • Won the 2014 AAS Excellence Award in April 2014

24. www.feelingkindablue.com

25. Video http://youtu.be/IgugsvR6pxM

26. Losing a loved one to suicide • Survivor of suicide – a person who has lost a loved one to suicide • Common characteristics • Thoughts of suicide • WHY? • Anger, guilt, abandonment • Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve • Adjusting to a new normal • Dealing with other people

27. Resources: • Hotlines • 314.647.HELP(4357) LCS • 1.800.273.TALK (8255) Lifeline • www.feelingkindablue.com • www.providentstl.org (Provident) • www.afsp.org(American Foundation For Suicide Prevention) • Heather Barnett, MA, LPC, CCGC • hbarnett@providentstl.org

28. Help is always a phone call away

29. Take away Remember it’s ok to call Ask a question, save a life Use the resources Questions?