As Bereavement and Grief Specialist, we are gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are persons who are in the position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.

Statistics:

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US
• The highest suicide rate was among people 85 or older
• The second is among people 45 to 64
• Regarding suicide attempts, females attempt 3x more often than males
• Males are 4 times more likely to complete suicide

Risk Factors and Warning Signs:

“There is no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition” Depression is the most common mental health related to suicide

Warning Signs: (By what they say or do)
If a person talks about:

• Being a burden
• Feeling trapped
• Experiencing unbearable pain
• Having no reason for living
• Killing themselves

Things to look out for:

• Increased use of drugs and alcohol
• Looking for a way to kill themselves such as searching online for materials or means
• Acting recklessly
• Withdrawing from activities
• Isolating from family and friends
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• Giving away prized possessions
• Aggression

With Help Comes Hope:

Support for persons living with suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts:
Stanislaus County (Emergency Services, 24-Hour hotline) 209.558.4600
National Suicide Hotline 1.800.273.8255
www.lifelineforattemptsurvivors.org