RESOURCES

If you or your child is in immediate danger:
CALL 911


BHS Suicide Prevention Training Powerpoint


Contact the following local organizations for help:

Evergreen Shelter Program:
Provides shelter, counseling and support services for youth of various backgrounds and ages, 9-17 years, who are experiencing some form of immediate crisis in their lives. Services are FREE!

Stephanie Downey
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Evergreen Youth & Family Services
(218) 308-8002
Email: sdowney@evergreenyfs.org
Website: www.evergreenyfs.org

North Homes, Inc.
Provides counseling for a fee.
(218) 751-0282


Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center
Provides counseling for a fee, which is based on a sliding scale.
(218) 751-3280



Crisis Hotlines:

Mental Health Crisis
People of any age may call.
1-800-422-0045

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Native Youth Crisis Hotline
1-877-209-1266

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
1-800-865-0606
24 hr. Crisis Line
www.yellowribbonmn.org


Morningside Recovery Mental Health Resources


For more information about community suicide prevention, you may contact:

Keeping Our Children Safe Program:
Suicide Prevention Coordination Program

A program of Healthy Community Healthy Kids
403 4th Street NW, Suite 245
www.hchkbemidji.com

suicide3YOU ARE NOT ALONE! If you have questions or need to know where to get help, call one of the organizations listed on the right, or talk to a social worker, counselor, nurse, doctor, pastor, priest or other member of the clergy. Click here to view a list of our school social workers.Keep talking until you get help, Your life or the life of your loved one may depend on it.

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Is someone you know thinking about suicide?

The road which ends in suicide is usually a very long one. The process doesn’t happen overnight. People who become suicidal usually suffered from a brain illness such as clinical depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar (manic depression) or schizophrenia for many years.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has reported that 95% of all suicides occur at the peak of a depressive episode. The illnesses that cause suicide can distort thinking, so people can’t think clearly or rationally. They may not know they have a treatable illness, or they may think they can’t be helped. Their illness can cause thoughts of hopelessness and helplessness, which may then lead to suicidal thoughts.

If depression is recognized and treated suicidal thoughts can be eliminated. Many suicides can be prevented.

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Know what to watch for…

Warning signs of suicide:

  • Talking or joking about suicide. Statements about being reunited with a deceased loved one.
  • Statements about hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, pessimism, or worthlessness. Examples : “Life is useless.” “Everyone would be better off without me.” “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be around much longer anyway.” “I wish I could just disappear.”
  • Preoccupation with death. Example: recurrent death themes in music, literature, or drawings. Writing letters or leaving notes referring to death or “the end.”
  • Loss of interest in things one cares about.
  • Unusual visiting or calling people one cares about – saying their good-byes.
  • Giving possessions away, making arrangements, setting one’s affairs in order.
  • Self-destructive behavior (alcohol/drug abuse, self -injury or mutilation, promiscuity).
  • Obsession with guns or knives.
  • Having several accidents resulting in injury. Close calls or brushes with death.
  • Risk-taking behavior.
  • Suddenly happier or calmer.

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Know what to do…

It’s okay to ask the person, “Do you ever feel so badly that you think of suicide?”

If you get a yes to your question, question the individual further. Ask, “Do you have a plan?” If yes, ask, “Do you know when you would do it?” “Do you have access to what you would use?” If the person has a plan, they are in immediate danger – do not leave them alone! They must see a doctor or psychiatrist immediately. Take them to the nearest emergency room for call 911.

  • Never keep a plan for suicide secret. Don’t worry about breaking the bond of friendship at this point. Friendships can be fixed.
  • Never call a person’s bluff, or try to minimize their problems by saying how much they have to live for or how hurt their family will be.

If you think the person is not in immediate danger, you can say things like,

  • ” I can tell you’re really hurting.”
  • “I care about you and will do my best to help you.”

Then follow through – help them find a doctor, clergy or mental health professional. Be by their side when they make the first phone call, or go along to the first appointment. It’s not a good idea to leave it up to a person to get help on their own.

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Much of this information in this brochure was provided by
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE),
9001 E. Bloomington Freeway,
Suite 150 Minneapolis, MN 55420
952-946-7998 or 1-888-511-SAVE
www.save.org