Ten Minutes Can Save a Life
By Senior Marketing Specialist George Meyer
September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Support programs and resources are available at Southcentral Foundation for people struggling with thoughts of self-harm and for the families that love them.
Watching a loved one wrestle with these thoughts can leave family members with many questions and deep-seated concerns. Supporting and protecting loved ones with thoughts of self-harm is of major importance for family members. Encouraging loved-ones to seek medical help, including therapy or considering medications, are powerful ways to help them begin the healing process. However, proactively making your home safer through simple steps can have a huge impact any result in positive outcomes.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of preventable death in Alaska and the second leading cause of death nationally for Alaska Native and American Indian people ages 10-34. The reasons are varied, but as of 2018, these people groups were 50% more likely to experience feelings of everything being an effort, all or most of the time, than other ethnic groups. For many, these times can vary in length and intensity; not necessarily leading to thoughts of harming oneself. But, for those who are suffering from hopelessness and depression, those thoughts can be pervasive and challenging to deal with.
Research shows making it harder for someone to find a loaded gun, pills, alcohol, or car keys can save a life. Even a delay of 10 minutes can make the difference and result in a positive outcome, giving someone who is dealing with thoughts of self-harm more time to get support.
“Suicidal crises are often brief and can lead to impulsive, unplanned attempts,” SCF Crisis Stabilization Clinical Supervisor Annie Cullings shared. “Means restriction, to include removing or securely storing items someone could harm themselves with, creates time when there is an impulse to act on suicidal thoughts with thoughts of self-harm. The greater the delay, the more likely it is the suicidal crisis will pass.”
The following are some preventative steps you can take to make your home safer for someone struggling with thoughts of suicide. It is not an exhaustive list; however, it is a great place to start.
- Display resources: Getting support is a sign of strength. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers someone to listen and support finding counseling or other care.
- Open doors: Keep doors open or unlocked when you are worried about someone.
- Use gun locks, cable locks, and gun safes:Make it safer for those who are having a hard time and might act without thinking.
- Look for hazards: Look for rope or other hazards in the room. Consider installing a collapsible closet rod.
- Take keys away: Do not let anyone who is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs operate any vehicles – cars, trucks, ATVs, or boats.
- Lock and remove medications:Restrict access to medications to make sure they are only used as prescribed.
- Secure ammunition: Use ammo boxes to store ammunition separately from guns to ensure it is only used for hunting and protection.
If you are worried about a person’s immediate safety, do not leave them alone. Call 911, your health clinic, or go to an emergency room.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or struggling with emotional distress, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
For more information about behavioral health resources at SCF, connect with your primary care provider or visit here.
