1. An Overview of Samaritan Services and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Presented by the Samaritans of Merrimack Valley A program of Family Services of the Merrimack Valley

2. Samaritans of Merrimack Valley  Founded in 1980 by 3 school teachers; became a program of Family Service of the Merrimack Valley in 2005  Trained volunteers staff a 24/7 Crisis Help Line, answering over 15,000 calls yearly  Provide two Department of Public Health-funded suicide prevention trainings for older adults statewide, both listed on the Best Practice Registry

3. Samaritans of Merrimack Valley  Provide different outreach/educational workshops, including Connect, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), suicide awareness as well as customized trainings  Provide postvention services after a suicide death occurs to promote healthy grieving and reduce further suicide incidents  Offer support services for suicide loss survivors including two Safe Place peer-led support groups, survivor-to-survivor home visits, quarterly newsletters and resource packets

4. Samaritans of Merrimack Valley  Provide a support group for people who have attempted suicide, the only one in the Merrimack Valley/northeast area of MA  Offer a 2 hour training for clinicians and other mental health professionals around suicide and middle aged men  Coming in 2016 – A survivor of suicide loss support group for teens

5. Mental Health Challenges  What is a mental health disorder? Defined as a diagnosable illness that affects a person’s thinking, emotional state and behavior and disrupts the person’s ability to work or carry out other daily activities and engage in satisfying personal relationships*  How many people are affected by a mental disorder? 1 in 5 adults in the US have a mental disorder in any one year; about 19.6% of adults (18 and older) or about 45.6 million people**  What treatments and supports are available? Medical treatments, medications, psychological treatments including talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy; natural or alternative therapies; peer support groups; rehabilitation programs, etc. *American Psychiatric Association ** Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

6. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention What is the connection between mental health challenges and suicide prevention? Research Study: Psychological autopsies show that about 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental health and/or substance abuse challenge. However, less than 4% of people with these issues die by suicide. About 1/3 of people who died by suicide did not tell anyone about their suicide intent. Positive Step: Educate communities to recognize symptoms of mental health disorders so that they can provide support and provide resources to anyone who might need them. Reducing the stigma around mental health challenges and suicide and encouraging people to ask for help can reduce suicide deaths.

7. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Study: About 45% of people who died by suicide had seen a primary care provider within the month before their death and 77% had contact within the past year. By contrast, only 30% of people who died by suicide had received mental health services during the last year of life and only 19% in the last month. Depression is more common than any other disorder in suicide deaths. Positive Step: Educate primary care providers and their staff about recognizing and referring patients who show signs of mental health disorders.

8. Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Study: Studies have shown that many suicide attempts are unplanned and occur during an acute period of ambivalence. * Another study concluded that 9 out of 10 people said it was less than a day between the time they decided to take their life and when they actually made the attempt. 24% said it was less than 5 minutes; 24% said it was between 5 and 19 minutes; and 23% said it was 20 minutes to an hour.** 85% of suicide attempts with firearms are fatal. 75% of suicide deaths occur in the home. Positive Steps: Restricting access to lethal means can save lives by reducing the lethality of attempts. Keeping firearms out of the house and locking up medications are two ways of reducing access to means. Educating communities as well as family members about restricting access to lethal means is a key suicide prevention strategy. *Bohanna & Wang, 2012 **Simmons, 2005

9. Risk Factors  Family history of mental health challenges and/or suicide  Previous suicide attempt(s)/ previous or current mental health challenges  Gender identity/sexual preference  Abuse, trauma  Being male  Losses – job, relationship, death  No support structures  Bullying, eating disorders, binge drinking or drug use  Access to lethal means

10. Warning Signs for Suicide  Marked/dramatic changes in behavior (withdrawal, changes in sleep and/or eating patterns, anger/hostility)  Hopelessness/helplessness/feeling like a burden  Rage, anger, seeking revenge  Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking  Feeling trapped- like there’s no way out

11. Warning Signs for Suicide  No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life  Giving away prized possessions  Loss of interest in their personal appearance  Being unwilling to connect with potential helpers  Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol  Loss of interest in work, activities, hobbies

12. WARNING SIGNS: NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION Call 911 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider if you hear, say, or see any of these behaviors:  Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself  Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills or other means  Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide.

13. STATISTICS  In 2013, there were 41,149 reported suicide deaths in the US. That equates to about 113 deaths every day or one person every 13 minutes.  In MA, an estimated 585 people died by suicide.  The highest rate of suicide is people ages 45-54.  Suicide is the 2 nd leading cause of death for youth ages 15-24, behind accidents.  It is estimated that for every suicide death, there are 25 people who are affected by a suicide death.

14. Truths About Suicide  Mentioning the word suicide will not put the idea in someone’s mind.  People who die by suicide generally do warn others. 8 out of 10 people have given clues as to their intentions.  Once a person’s emotional state improves, the risk of suicide is not necessarily over.  People who die by suicide do not always leave notes.  You do not have to be a mental health professional to help someone. Learning the warning signs, talking with that person openly and getting them help can reduce the incidence of suicide.

15. When talking with someone you’re worried about DO  Remain calm. Be honest and compassionate with the person. Validate their feelings and acknowledge that what they’re going through is very difficult.  Let them know you care and they are not alone. Remind them there are people willing to help them deal with whatever it is they are going through.  Explain that mental health challenges are not a weakness or character flaw. Remind them that mental health issues are no different that physical issues – both require professional help.

16. When talking with someone you’re worried about DO:  Ask directly about suicide. You will not put the idea in their head. You could say “Do you sometimes feel so bad that you think about suicide?”  If they answer yes, ask more questions without judgment or advice. How long have you felt this way? Do you have a plan? Do you have the means to take your life? Have you attempted suicide before? Do you have someone to turn to who will help you?  The more detail a person gives you, the higher the risk of suicide.

17. When talking with someone you’re worried about:  Don’t agree to keep confidentiality. You can’t get them help if you do.  Don’t be judgmental, offer advice, or use platitudes. Saying “You’ll feel better tomorrow” or “You’ll find another boyfriend” are not helpful.  Don’t ask “You’re not suicidal, are you?” You’ve already indicated by the way you asked the question that you want them to say no.  Don’t try to help a suicidal person on your own. Always get a trusted adult involved. Suicide is complicated and requires a lot of support and attention.

18. Where to get help If the person is in imminent risk, call 911. Do not leave them alone for one second.  Samaritans of Merrimack Valley Help Lines: 1-866-912-4673 or 978-327-6607  Samaritans Statewide Line: 1-877-870-4673  National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255  Download our Iphone or Android app- Good Samaritans  Parents or adult family member  A school counselor, teacher or coach  A mental health center, private therapist or family doctor  A member of the clergy or faith leader  An emergency room

19. SAMARITANS OF MERRIMACK VALLEY CONTACT INFORMATION Debbie Helms – 978-327-6671 – dhelms@fsmv.org Thank you for your attention.