Q's Health News

In 2016 suicide was the 8th leading cause of death in Montana; 267 deaths were attributed to suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This ranks Montana FIRST out of all the United States in suicide rates (25.9 suicide deaths out of 100,000 people)! This is one time where we DO NOT want to come in first. Alaska and Wyoming are 2nd and 3rd; whereas New Jersey comes in last at 7.2 deaths out of 100,000 people. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States!

Suicide is defined as the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally. A suicide attempt is when a person injures themselves with the intent to die but survives. Suicidal ideations are thoughts about suicide or planning suicide.

Risk factors of suicide include a combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. Some of factors that lead to increased risk of suicide are: family history of suicide; family history of child abuse; previous suicide attempt; history of clinical depression; history of alcohol and substance abuse; feelings of hopelessness; impulsive or aggressive traits; local epidemics of suicides; isolation; barriers to accessing mental health treatment; loss; physical illness; and unwillingness to seek help due to the stigma attached to mental health.

There are warning signs to watch for when someone is thinking about suicide. Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves; talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live; making a plan to kill themselves; talking about great guilt or shame; feeling trapped or that there are no solutions; feeling unbearable pain, physical or emotional; talking about being a burden to others; using alcohol or drugs more often; withdrawing from family and friends; talking or thinking about death more often; giving away important possessions; saying goodbye to family and friends; putting affairs in order, such as making a will are all warning signs of suicide.

If you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of suicide, get help as soon as possible! Unfortunately, in rural Montana, mental healthcare providers are few. However, get in to see a primary care provider as soon as possible; they will help you get started with care. If someone is telling you they are going to kill themselves, do NOT leave them alone; call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or call 911 to get help immediately. Do not promise anyone that you will keep their suicidal thoughts a secret; tell a friend, family member, or other trusted adult.

If you or your loved one is not comfortable talking with a primary healthcare provider about suicide, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Referral Helpline at 1–800–662–HELP (4357) or go to their website, http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov, to search for behavioral health treatment services in your area. Don’t do it alone, if you are having suicidal thoughts; talk to a friend and seek help. For more resources on suicide and mental health go to: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.

Thanks for joining me again this month! If you have questions or comments, you can find me at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association or you can email me at rwilliams@dmhainc.com.