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If you are in crisis, please call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (800-273-8255)
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Beltrami County has long struggled with a rate of suicide that is 60% higher than the state average. In 2004, many people in our community realized that the problem seemed to be getting worse among young people and something needed to be done. There were several suicide attempts and deaths among youth in the area, and people wanted more information to know how to organize and respond more effectively. We now have statistics that show that the rate of teen suicide attempts doubled in 2004.
In November 2004, Healthy Community Healthy Kids commissioned a
Community Needs Assessment on Suicide Prevention, funded by the Beltrami Area Service Collaborative.
Seventy-one people from 60 organizations in the community were interviewed. Several problems were identified:
- A shortage of mental health professionals (or problems accessing mental health care)
- Lack of knowledge about suicide prevention
- Lack of protocol or policy to follow in a crisis or worrisome situation
- Lack of communication between and within agencies
- Substance abuse issues
- An unwillingness or inability of individuals to follow up on referrals or take prescription medication correctly
The community wanted to have:
- Help developing organizational plans and policies
- More training for staff
- More general education for the public
- A local crisis hotline
- Access to low-cost or free mental health services
- A central place to call for information and support
As a result of the community needs assessment, Healthy Community Healthy Kids established a Suicide Prevention Coordination program, primarily focused on 15-24 year-olds, with funding from the Beltrami Area Service Collaborative and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, in September 2005. A community task force was organized to address suicide prevention in our area. Aware that suicide prevention is complex and the needs are great, the task force established priorities and a work plan. The first priority was general education. Several goals were put in place to increase general education about suicide prevention in our area. The second priority is mental health access. The task force is currently working on ideas to help people in our area get connected to mental health and community support.
How You Can Help
Suicide is preventable, and there is a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention with the following goals:
- Promote awareness that suicide is a public health problem that is preventable.
- Develop broad-based support for suicide prevention.
- Develop and implement strategies to reduce the stigma associated with being a consumer of mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention services.
- Develop and implement suicide prevention programs.
- Promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means and methods of self-harm.
- Implement training for recognition of at-risk behavior and delivery of effective treatment.
- Develop and promote effective clinical and professional practices.
- Improve access to and community linkages with mental health and substance abuse services.
- Improve reporting and portrayals of suicidal behavior, mental illness, and substance abuse in the entertainment and news media.
- Promote and support research on suicide and suicide prevention.
- Improve and expand surveillance systems.
Fast Facts
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people age 15-24 (CDC).
- Teen suicides have gone up nationally by 250% in the past 25 years, but adult suicide rates have stayed relatively stable.
- Suicide is Preventable – most suicide crises last a short period of time, so watch for warning signs and connect yourself or your loved one to help immediately if you are concerned by calling 911 or 1-800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).
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Warning Signs of Suicide:
- Symptoms of depression or other brain illnesses
- Suicidal statement or previous attempt, then happier/calmer
- Talking, reading, listening or writing about death/suicide
- Writing will, funeral plans: cleaning house/room/locker/desk
- Giving things away, returning borrowed items, saying goodbye
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol; starting to use
- Sudden interest or disinterest in religion
- Statements of hopelessness; lack of self-esteem
- Withdrawal from friends, family or favorite activities
- Changed eating or sleeping patterns; weight gain/loss, insomnia
- Falling grades, missed deadlines, often tardy or absent
- Irritability, angry outbursts, picking of fights
- Acquiring gun; stockpiling pills, obsessed with guns or knives
- Risk-taking behavior or self-harm (cutting, burning)
Don’t keep it a secret. For help, call 1-800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
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