National Suicide Prevention Week
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: September 9, 2010
More than 34,000 Americans commit suicide every year. But the experts say in most cases there are warning signs - if you know what to look for. Debbie Fitzgerald with Ozark Center said, "If you've noticed a personality change and behavior changes. They don't seem quite themselves, they are staying home more, not participating in activities."
For students, it could be a drop in grades ... or writing or drawing about death or dying. How you react to that is crucial. Added Fitzgerald, "Question the person. Are you feeling suicidal? Are you feeling like you want to harm yourself? Are you having thoughts of death and dying? Persuade them to seek help - tell them you're not the only person to feel this way."
Seek help from your family physician, a school counselor, mental health professionals or even the emergency room. Fitzgerald said, "Never think that if you ask someone directly are you having thoughts of suicide that it will give them the idea and plant the idea or increase risk. In fact that is not so - it will immediately lower any risk."
You can also get help 24/7 through a crisis hotline. You can talk to the local center by call 347 - 7720 in Joplin. Outside the calling area - that center is toll free at 800 - 247 - 0661. And there's also a national suicide prevention lifeline. That number is 800 - 273 - TALK.
For students, it could be a drop in grades ... or writing or drawing about death or dying. How you react to that is crucial. Added Fitzgerald, "Question the person. Are you feeling suicidal? Are you feeling like you want to harm yourself? Are you having thoughts of death and dying? Persuade them to seek help - tell them you're not the only person to feel this way."
Seek help from your family physician, a school counselor, mental health professionals or even the emergency room. Fitzgerald said, "Never think that if you ask someone directly are you having thoughts of suicide that it will give them the idea and plant the idea or increase risk. In fact that is not so - it will immediately lower any risk."
You can also get help 24/7 through a crisis hotline. You can talk to the local center by call 347 - 7720 in Joplin. Outside the calling area - that center is toll free at 800 - 247 - 0661. And there's also a national suicide prevention lifeline. That number is 800 - 273 - TALK.
