September recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month; resources available to help

Suicide is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but one that should be discussed openly and honestly. To help raise awareness and open the dialogue, September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, nearly 1.7 million American adults attempt suicide each year and 2.3 million seriously consider it. This month is a time to focus on raising awareness while learning to recognize concerns that can contribute to a high suicide rate.  

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month — and all year long — is #BeThe1To, which helps spread the word about the five actions everyone can take to help prevent suicide. Those actions are:

1. Ask: Research shows that talking about suicide tends to reduce suicide ideation.
2. Be There: Speaking with a non-judgmental person can reduce feelings of depression, etc.
3. Keep Them Safe: Studies show that reducing lethal means helps reduce suicide rates. 
4. Help Them Stay Connected: Helping individuals create a network of support can help them feel more hopeful.
5. Follow-up: Ongoing contact can help prevent death by suicide.

SupportLinc, provider of behavioral health services for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, offers a variety of resources, including in-the-moment phone support, coaching, counseling, online courses, videos, tip sheets and articles, like its “Suicide Prevention Awareness.” Also, keep in mind that Supportlinc offers group trainings that can be set up virtually on the topic of Mental Health First Aid. A version for managers and supervisors as well as one geared toward employees is available.

To start utilizing SupportLinc’s services, call 888-881-5462 or log in to the SupportLinc website or eConnect® mobile app (available in the App Store and on Google Play) with username “purdue.”

Recognize warning signs

An important part — the first step actually — of suicide prevention is recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously, as well as knowing how to respond to them. Warning signs of suicide include:

• Talking about suicide
• Looking for access to guns, pills, knives, etc.
• Having a preoccupation with death
• Sudden mood swings or personality changes
• Hopelessness
• Self-loathing/hatred
• Neglecting appearance
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Saying goodbye
• Withdrawal
• Self-destructive behavior

See the SupportLinc article, “Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior,” to learn more about warning signs and ways to help someone in need.

Mental Health First Aid — Purdue Extension has a team of certified facilitators of Mental Health First Aid (an eight-hour training to teach participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis) able to bring this important, lifesaving course to your campus community, organization or department.

Additionally, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers many training resources as does the group Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), which provides tools to community leaders to help prevent suicide.

Get involved

During September, when the focus is on raising awareness for suicide prevention, it’s easier for individuals to join in to support those around them and in their communities. However, that support is needed all year long regardless of whether an individual is directly helping someone in need. There are many ways to get and stay involved. Share information about suicide and suicide prevention on social media to help reduce the associated stigma associated. Keep the dialogue going with family and friends about the need for increased awareness and support. Volunteer at a local crisis shelter or similar organization. Donate to agencies that work nonstop to provide support and services for individuals in need.

Learn more — ‘Suicide Awareness’ workshop scheduled for Sept. 6

SupportLinc will present a Healthy Boiler workshop titled “Suicide Awareness” on Sept. 6 at multiple times throughout the day. The workshop supports the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

The purpose of the workshop is to raise awareness of suicide and other serious emotional health concerns and provide important information about getting help for someone who may be thinking about suicide.

Choose from the following times:

• 8-9 a.m. ET; register here
• 3-4 p.m. ET; register here
• 8-9 p.m. ET; register here  

Suicide Prevention Resources

There are many suicide prevention resources available, including: 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat. More information about 988 is available here.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) — offers resources for suicide prevention for anyone in need, including resources supporting diverse communities and the LGBTQ community.
• American Psychiatric Association — has information on risk factors, warning signs, protective factors and more.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – shares resources, facts, risk factors and more.
• Indiana Suicide Prevention — provides a variety of resources and information.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — offers resources to help, including fast facts, blogs, personal stories and more.
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — shares action steps to help someone and more.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) — shares multiple resources on suicide prevention.

SupportLinc provides additional educational resources as well, such as:

• Flash Course: Suicide Awareness
• How to Help a Co-Worker in Distress
• Mental Health First Aid Toolkit
• Signs of Emotional Health Concerns
• Suicide Prevention Awareness
• Suicide Prevention – info for supervisors
• The Sorrow of Suicide: Awareness and Action Can Help Save a Life
• Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior
• World Suicide Prevention Day – Sept. 10

While suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, prevention starts with awareness. Whether you are struggling, know someone who is having difficulty or have lost someone to suicide, National Suicide Prevention Month provides the opportunity for acknowledgment and discussion about this public health concern. The resources listed above and below are provided to help.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Review the “Mental Health Resources” webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including behavioral health resources for all Purdue campuses and information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct them to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — medical plan provider for students and graduate students — offers 292 unique mental health providers serving at various locations that are in-network with UHCSR within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan. 

Office of the Dean of Students:

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Student of Concern Reporting Link

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS):

• Therapy Services at CAPS
• Self-help Resources
• Group Therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI On Campus — a free, virtual support group on campus
• Thriving Campus — service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country
• TAO — web- and app-based mental health resource