Recovery in Action: Recovery Coalition Newsletter, April-May

"How do I come forward and make an impact? The first step is public awareness."

Jeannie Ritter, the First Lady of Colorado, visited the Suicide Coalition Meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2007. Mrs. Ritter intends to devote her energy as First Lady

as an advocate for Colorado's mental health.

                                                          Jeannie Ritter, First Lady

Click on this Daily Press Link to read the complete article.

The Midwestern Colorado Suicide Prevention Coalition is an organization formed to promote suicide prevention in our communities. The program is made possible by funding from The Colorado Trust, a grant making foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people of Colorado.

For more information, please click on the links below:

Facts About Suicide
Warning Signs of Suicide
Emergency Suicide Hotline
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Midwestern Suicide Prevention Coalition Brochure

Please click on the above link to download a copy of the Midwestern Suicide Prevention Coalition's informational brochure.

Facts About Suicide:
• In the USA, someone completes suicide every 17 minutes.
• Suicide is one of the world’s largest public health problems.
• Suicide rates are consistently higher in the western states than the rest of the USA.
• In Colorado, 600 people complete suicide each year.
• In Colorado, suicide is the 9th leading cause of death, making the State’s suicide death rate the 12th highest in the country.
• For every suicide at least 6 family members are affected by the loss of a loved one or acquaintance.

An estimated 9,600 Coloradans seriously contemplate suicide each year – the majority of whom do not receive treatment for their suicidal symptoms. back to top

THERE IS HOPE. SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.

New findings suggest that there may be ways to detect those who are at risk of attempting suicide. Among the general population, there’s little awareness of the warning signs of suicide, and even lower awareness of what to do if you think someone may be feeling suicidal.

Warning Signs of Suicide:
• Abrupt changes in personality
• Giving away possessions
• Previous suicide attempt
• Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Eating disturbances and significant weight change
• Sleeping disturbances
• Inability or unwillingness to communicate
• Sexual promiscuity
• Neglecting personal appearance
• Theft and/or vandalism
• Depression
• Exaggerated and/or extended boredom
• Carelessness and/or accident prone
• Unusually long grief reaction
• Sadness and discouragement
• Hostile behavior
• Neglect of academic work
• Difficulty concentrating
• Family disruption, especially divorce
• Running away from home
• Abrupt ending of a romance

Many people think if someone tries to take their own life, it’s a crime. It’s not a crime; it’s a medical emergency. If you call 911 to report an attempted suicide and the police arrive, the person may be taken into protective custody so that they can be taken to the emergency room or to see a mental health counselor. They’re not being arrested, and won’t have a criminal record. back to top

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN IMMEDIATE CRISIS,
CALL THE HOTLINE FOR HELP:
1-800-SUICIDE

OR CALL THE CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY SERVICES:
970-249-9694

ASIST Training
Training can help a person see the signs and respond to a person in crisis. It can provide confidence to ask about suicide if there is concern about someone’s safety. It can supply the tools necessary to help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Anyone can learn what must be done to save the life of a person at risk of suicide or self harm. The APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING (ASIST) prepares people of all backgrounds to provide suicide first-aid to persons at risk. It is a two day training covering intervention, attitudes, knowledge, skills and resources.

For information on dates and locations of the ASIST, please call 970-252-3200. There is a fee of $35 (scholarships are available). There must be 10 participants in order for the class to happen.

The public is welcome to attend the Midwestern Colorado Suicide Prevention Coalition meetings. Call at 970-252-3200 for more information.

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