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A MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT MESSAGE FROM ORIGINS BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
• Suicidal thoughts
• Previous suicide attempts
• A history of depression or
mental illness
• Drug and alcohol use
Suicide warning signs
• Family history of suicide, violence or abuse
• A history of trauma • Access to a firearm • Violent behavior
When these warning signs appear, it is important to connect the person to professional support quickly.
Suicide prevention begins with awareness
Because of the assumption that suicide is a choice, many left be- hind feel that they could have done something to stop it. If you have lost someone to suicide, please know that you are not responsible. It is essential that we collectively raise awareness about mental ill- ness and suicide to prevent future loss.
Eliminate the stigma of seeking professional help
Therapy can significantly alleviate depression and mental health symptoms associated with suicidal thoughts. Treatment programs that specialize in treating co-occurring disorders can help patients recover from multiple, serious issues such as depression and sub- stance use disorders.
If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, seek help immediately. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800- 273-8255. If you or a loved one is suffering from drug addiction, feel free to contact the Origins admissions department at 844-250-9228.
Straight talk about suicide
Considered one of the nation’s greatest health epidemics by many in the medical field, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is important that friends, family and colleagues of those who have died by suicide join together for support and to raise awareness about the factors associated with suicide.
Suicide, addiction and depression
More than 90 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression or have a substance use disorder. People who experi- ence severe depression may turn to drugs, alcohol or other risky behaviors in an attempt to numb their psychological, mental, emo- tional or spiritual discomfort. For people with high-stress jobs, such as first responders, this can be particularly alluring. Substance use can increase the severity of depression
Substance use greatly increases the likelihood of suicidal thoughts. This is exacerbated by the fact that addiction frequent- ly damages or destroys familial, professional, personal and finan- cial relationships. Eroding relationships and feelings of isolation further increase the risk of suicide. Even worse, many substances impact judgment, leading to suicide attempts that users may not otherwise try while sober. Common risk factors for suicide include:
some exhibit few warning signs publicly. Common warning signs include:
Every person who contemplates suicide is different. Some ex- hibit many “classic” warning signs before committing suicide, and
• Talking about wanting to die • Expressing feelings of hope- lessness or feeling trapped
• Isolation from friends and
• Abandoning hobbies
• Behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too
family much
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Decease in work performance • Extreme mood swings
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