During times of a pandemic there is a secondary loss of life from suicide. Sadly, on the news there are reports of increased suicides across the nation. Knowing the warning signs and knowing how to respond can save a life just like social distancing.

Are you thinking about death or dying? Please know that you are not alone, we care about you, and we want to help you.

Call 1-800-273-8255 right now

or Text “TALK” to 741741 right now.

Warning signs someone may be thinking about suicide

1) Talking about death and dying

2) Express that they feel like they are burden

3) Overwhelming pain or emotion

4) Feeling trapped- hopelessness

5) Increase us of drugs or alcohol

6) Searching about suicide online

7) Sleeping too much or too little

8) Calling to say goodbye or give away their valuables

If you suspect, or they bring it up, how to have the conversation

1) Talk about risk and protective factors. “Do you feel alone.” “Do you have any plans next week?

2) Tell them you care, ask how they are doing, use active listening

3) Active listening Skills: Do not correct, tell them how to feel, or convince them everything is okay. If you want to, that means you are feeling emotional in response to you loved one- you need to manage your emotion before you can help them

4) Avoid passive aggressive questions: “You don’t want to die do you

5) Direct questions: “When people are down, they sometimes think about death, have you thought about dying? It is okay to tell me.

6) Validation, Empathy, Active listening

What to do

1) Stay with them

2) Take them seriously

3) Help remove lethal means to take their life

4) Drive them to a mental health facility

Resources:

These websites have more resorces in how to have the conversation, how to support your loved one, and how to support yourself

American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Link to https://afsp.org

National Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Link to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

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Written by Erica Gregory, LMFT

Johns Creek and Alpharetta Counseling (#JCAC) is a warm and family orientated counseling practice in Alpharetta, Ga. We offer online counseling services in the states of Georgia and Florida. We offer in-office counseling service at our Alpharetta office which is conveniently located to serve Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and Cumming, Ga.

The JCAC Counselors specialize in counseling services throughout the lifespan! We offer play therapy, counseling for children, parental support, adolescent counseling, mental health services, couples counseling, premarital therapy, and individual counseling for adults.

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