Suicide/Behavioral Health

Risk Factors & Warning Signs

What leads to suicide?

There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.

Suicide warning signs

What leads to suicide?

Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Learn more

First Responder Trauma Counselors 911Overwatch.org

MOOD

BEHAVIOR

First Responders who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression,
Anxiety,
Loss of interest,
Irritability,
Humiliation/Shame,
Agitation/Anger, and
Relief/Sudden Improvement.

BEHAVIOR

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change: Increased use of alcohol or drugs, Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods, 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, and Fatigue.

TALK

BEHAVIOR

TALK

If a First Responder talks about:

Killing themselves,
Feeling hopeless,
Having no reason to live,
Being a burden to others,
Feeling trapped, and Unbearable pain.

Health

Environmental

Historical

Mental health conditions:

Depression,
Substance use problems,
Bipolar disorder,
Schizophrenia,
Personality traits, of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships,
Conduct disorder,
Anxiety disorders,
Serious physical health conditions including pain, and Traumatic brain injury.

Historical

Environmental

Historical

Previous suicide attempts, Family history of suicide, Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma.

Environmental

Access to lethal means including:

Firearms and drugs,
Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment,
Stressful life events, like rejection, divorce, financial crisis,
Other life transitions or loss Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide.

When a First Responder is at Risk

How to talk to a First Responder who may be struggling with depression or suicide:

1. Talk to them in PRIVATE

2. LISTEN to their story

3. Tell them you CARE

4. Ask DIRECTLY if they are thinking about suicide

5. ENCOURAGE them to reach out to their doctor or mental/behavioral health specialist

6. AVOID debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice

If a First Responder says they are considering suicide:

Take the person seriously
Stay with them and DON'T leave them alone until with licensed professional
Help them remove lethal means
Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (or dial 988)
Text BADGE to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the crisis help line
Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

Behavioral Health/Wellness/Spirituality

Behavioral Health

Suicide & Death

What to look for and how to help

Understanding Grief

Coping with the stages of grief

The path to healing

Helping those to cope with the loss of a loved one or pet

Understanding Anxiety & Depression

How the two interact or follow each other

PTSI/PTSD

How you can heal from it

Addictions

Work, Pornography, Gambling, Alcohol/Drugs, Hypersexuality, Shopping an Electronics

Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

Understanding the difference between the two, and creating grace and space for the provider

No One Fights Alone. We Get IT

GRIEF

Understanding Grief

You may be struggling to understand how a shooting could occur and why such a terrible thing would happen, or why a loved one had to pass. There may never be satisfactory answers to these questions.

We do know, though, that it is typical for people to experience a variety of emotions following a traumatic event. These feelings can include shock, sorrow, numbness, fear, anger, disillusionment, grief and others. You may find that you have trouble sleeping, concentrating, eating or remembering even simple tasks. This is common and should pass after a while. Over time, the caring support of family and friends can help to lessen the emotional impact and ultimately make the changes brought about by the tragedy more manageable. You may feel that the world is a more dangerous place today than you did yesterday. It will take some time to recover your sense of equilibrium.

8 Tips for Coping with the Depression Stages of Grief

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Don't let anyone tell you how you should feel.

Don't try to suppress your grief

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Acknowledge your pain

Express your feelings to others

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Express your feelings in creative ways

(i.e. friends, family, clergy, therapists, Peer Support)

Express your feelings in creative ways

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Express your feelings in creative ways

(i.e. physical activity , journaling, painting, wood working, swimming, sports, self care)

See a medical doctor

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

If the pain associated with the loss is so constant and severe that it keeps you from resuming your life or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

(i.e. alcohol abuse, drugs, etc, you know what we are talking about right?).

Plan ahead for "grief triggers", locations, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries

Ask your family and friends for extra support, Contact Peer Support. Make an appointment with a Culturally Competent Clinician to assist.

Set regular exercise goals each day

Plan ahead for "grief triggers", locations, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries

Get your endorphins flowing and you frustrations out.

More Tips

Talk

Ask for support from people who care about you and who will listen to your concerns. Receiving support and care can be comforting and reassuring. It often helps to speak with others who have shared your experience so you do not feel so different or alone.

Strive

When a tragedy occurs, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and have a negative or pessimistic outlook. Balance that viewpoint by reminding yourself of people and events which are meaningful and comforting, even encouraging. Striving for balance empowers you and allows for a healthier perspective on yourself and the world around you.

Take a break

Getting in shape forces you to face your biggest challenges, and sticking to a regular routine for a long period of time. This will make sure you know how to focus on the right exercises and workouts to reach your goals.

Honor

Remember that it is common to have a range of emotions after a traumatic incident. You may experience intense stress similar to the effects of a physical injury. For example, you may feel exhausted, sore or off balance.

You

Engage in healthy behaviors to enhance your ability to cope with excessive stress. Eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest and build physical activity into your day. Avoid alcohol and drugs because they can suppress your feelings rather than help you to manage and lessen your distress. In addition, alcohol and drugs may intensify your emotional or physical pain. Establish or re-establish routines such as eating meals at regular times and following an exercise program. If you are having trouble sleeping, try some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga.

SUICIDE

There is no single cause to suicide. It most often occurs when stressors exceed the current coping abilities of a First Responder suffering from a mental health condition.

Risk Factors & Warning Signs

What leads to suicide?

What leads to suicide?

What leads to suicide?

Suicide warning signs

What leads to suicide?

What leads to suicide?

IS PATH WARM

Suicide Prevention Brochure

MOOD

BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIOR

BEHAVIOR

TALK

BEHAVIOR

TALK

SUICIDE RISK FACTORS

What are Risk Factors?

Health

Environmental

Historical

Historical

Environmental

Historical

Environmental

Environmental

Environmental

When a First Responder is at Risk

How to talk to a First Responder who may be struggling with depression or suicide:

If a First Responder says they are considering suicide:

Behavioral Health/Wellness/Spirituality

Behavioral Health

Suicide & Death

Understanding Grief

The path to healing

Understanding Anxiety & Depression

PTSI/PTSD

Addictions

Compassion Fatigue & Burnout

Wellness

Understanding emotional connections to Cancer

Behavioral health & Somatic manifestation connections

MTHFR

The humor quotient

911 Energy health

Gratitude

Breathing & Meditation

Resiliency

Spirituality

Spirituality & Miracles

Affirmations

Belief systems

GRIEF

Understanding Grief

8 Tips for Coping with the Depression Stages of Grief

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Don't try to suppress your grief

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Express your feelings to others

Give yourself permission to feel your feelings

Express your feelings in creative ways

Express your feelings in creative ways

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Express your feelings in creative ways

See a medical doctor

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

If the pain associated with the loss is so constant and severe that it keeps you from resuming your life or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Avoid negative behavior that can harm you or your loved ones and others

Plan ahead for "grief triggers", locations, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries

Plan ahead for "grief triggers", locations, birthdays, holidays, anniversaries