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TAKE ACTION:
HOW TO HELP:

SPAN provides information and resources to empower organizations and community members to protect their family, friends and themselves from suicide. 

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Help Prevent Suicide

Join SPAN's Suicide Prevention campaign:

ASK.TALK.CONNECT.

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Ask. Talk. Connect.

Speak up if you think someone is in crisis. You can start a conversation that could save a life.
 

Ask: Ask direct questions to people in crisis like, Are you thinking about suicide? How can I help?  It’s not an easy question but studies show that asking someone if they are suicidal does not increase suicidal thoughts.
 

Talk: Support them in person or on the phone. Follow up once they are safe.  
 

Connect: Help them connect to a support system so they have a network to reach out to for help 24/7.  Connect them with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988), 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the Crisis Text Line (741741), or trusted family members, friends, coaches, clergy, co-workers, or therapists.​

What Can I Do?

If you're having a mental health crisis or know someone who is, it's OK to not be OK.  It can be tough, but it is OK to ask for help.  If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and talk with a trained counselor.  The 988 lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

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Educate Yourself

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- Take a class or attend a worship

- Get to know the warning signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health

- Talk about mental health with your friends, neighbors and coworkers

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Raise Awareneness

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- Host an event in your community

- Post messages on your personal or organization's social media networks (use this messaging and the shareables below)

- Post flyers around your community, school, workplace, faith centers or anywhere people congregate

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Speak Up if you think someone is in crisis.  You can start a conversation that could save a life. 

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Ask. How are you doing? Are you thinking about suicide? How can I help?

Talk. Support them in person or on the phone.  Follow up once they are safe.

Connect. Call 988 to help them find support and talk with a trained counselor.

If you are a community organization and want to join SPAN's ASK.TALK.CONNECT. suicide prevention campaign, go to the Campaign's Partner Toolkit.

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RISK FACTORS

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.

  • A prior suicide attempt

  • Depression and other mental health disorders

  • Substance abuse disorder

  • Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

  • Job or financial loss

  • Loss of relationship(s)

  • Family history of a mental health or substance abuse disorder

  • Family history of suicide

  • Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse

  • Having guns or other firearms in the home

  • Being in prison or jail

  • Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as a family member, peer, or media figure

  • Medical illness

  • Being between the ages of 15 and 24 years or over age 60 

  • Hopelessness

  • Local clusters of suicide

  • Lack of social support and sense of isolation

  • Stigma associated with asking for help

  • Lack of healthcare, mental health & substance abuse treatment

LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS

Warning signs can help you recognize if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. 

  • Talking about suicide or death

  • Talking about wanting to die

  • Talking about feeling hopeless, or having no reason to live

  • Looking for ways to kill themselves online, stockpiling pills, or acquiring lethal items like firearms, ropes, etc

  • Talking about great guilt or shame

  • Talking about feeling trapped, feeling there are no solutions, or feeling unbearable pain, physical or emotional

  • Talking about being a burden to others

  • Using alcohol or drugs more often

  • Acting anxious or agitated

  • Withdrawing from family and friends

  • Changing eating and/or sleeping habits

  • Showing rage or talking about revenge

  • Risky or reckless behavior

  • Giving away possessions & pets

  • Saying goodbye to friends and family

  • Putting affairs in order, making a will

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Download in English - Warning Signs of Suicide (nih.gov)


Download in Spanish - Señales de advertencia sobre el suicidio (nih.gov)

  

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