Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Trigger Warning: we’d first like to warn you that this article contains sensitive subject matter regarding suicide.
***For immediate help, call 911. Please know that if you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves, there is a 24 hour line where someone is always available to chat: 800-273-8255. Or text TALK to 741741***
It’s with a heavy heart we learned last week of a tragic loss within our beloved Kansas City art community. Loni LaCour was a young, talented woodworker and a staple at Strawberry Swing art fairs around town. She was also battling major depression. She occasionally spoke about her battle on social media. We would like to take this time to reflect and provide resources to those at risk of suicide or for those that fear they know someone at risk of suicide.
What we can do to help Loni’s family as well as our community and ourselves:
Order this special print (a replica of Loni’s final March 2021 piece). Proceeds will go to help the family and to support local suicide prevention programs.
Not sure what the warning signs are? The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) lists the following risk factors:
Depression
Substance abuse problems
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Personality traits of aggression, mood changes and poor relationships.
Conduct disorder
Anxiety disorder
Serious health conditions including pain
Traumatic brain injury
Another risk factor is if someone changes their behavior or acquires 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.
Concerned but unsure of what to do? The AFSP says assume you are the only one who will reach out. Next steps:
Talk to them in private
Listen to their story
Tell them that you care about them
Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide
Encourage them to seek treatment or to contact their doctor or therapist
Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice
If a person says they are considering suicide:
Take the person seriously
Stay with them
Help them remove lethal means
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free 24/7
Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room
Depression is an invisible illness and It is not your fault. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 6.7% percent of Americans struggle with a major depressive episode in a given year. Please seek treatment and help. Talk to your doctor and be aware that there are treatment centers that can help. The University of Kansas Medical Center has nationally recognized psychiatry and behavioral sciences services.
Seek help and support in our area:
SASS (Suicide Awareness Survivor Support): unites survivors of suicide (family, friends, etc.) by organizing support groups in the metropolitan area as well as an annual remembrance walk. Currently support groups are meeting virtually via Zoom. Find meeting info here.
Our local AFSP chapter. It’s a grassroots organization working to eliminate the loss of life by suicide by delivering prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.
Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition: works with community partners through awareness, outreach and education. They are here to support those that have lost someone to suicide, those that struggle with suicidal thoughts, those that have attempted suicide, those in recovery as well as people who work within the field. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of the month, also meeting virtually at this time. Info here.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): a comprehensive resource and support group center for the more than 21 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders. We found DBSA Overland Park Chapter and Support Group is currently open and meeting online. Email or call Erin Lehnherr for meeting details: info@dbsaop.org, (913) 735-0635.
Douglas County Suicide Prevention Coalition (DCSP): An organization working to train individuals to recognize and respond to at-risk individuals. This includes Mental Health First Aid and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). They raise awareness, provide resource and education throughout the community. The DCSP also works on implementation of evidence-based programs such as Zero Suicide.
Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center (KSPRC): Provides trainings and events to recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety (ASIST training). The next one is in Lawrence on July 13th-14th. Sign up here.
***For immediate help, call 911. Please know that if you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves, there is a 24 hour line where someone is always available to chat: 800-273-8255. Or text TALK to 741741***
We mean this when we say it Nellies: we love you. We are here for you. Check in on friends. A phone call, Marco Polo, a thoughtful text, Snapchat, DM. Whatever works for you, show the people in your life some love. We are and always will be a place for love and support. Please take care of yourselves and please please talk to someone if you are reading this and recognizing warning signs in yourself. You are important and unique. You are loved.
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
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