SUICIDE
The trauma from any death can be devastating, but particularly from a completed suicide. Not only do family and friends have to deal with the loss, but also have to address the “why”. Suicide is not spoken about openly, it is whispered and repressed in the community. Anger, embarrassment, and doubt mix in the thoughts and feelings. The stigma associated with a completed suicide adds to the trauma and grief.
| Wyoming has been in the top tier for completed suicides in the past years | |||
| Year | Wyoming | Nation | Ranking |
| 2002 | 21.4 | 10.93 | First |
| 2003 | 21.8 | 10.73 | First |
| 2004 | 17.4 | 10.92 | Fifth |
In most cases suicide can be prevented. There are signs and warning signals to most, if not all, suicides. If a person begins to express morbid thoughts, has increased expressions of death, increased depressive symptoms, other drastic mood or behavior changes, giving away prized possessions, or their eating and sleeping patterns change. These may indicate the person is at risk for a suicide attempt. Risk factors that may increase the chances a person may attempt suicide are prior attempts, family history of suicide, depression or other mental illness, sudden losses, availability of lethal means (weapons) and medical problems or chronic pain. Each of these do not predict suicidal ideation or possible attempt, but the more of these signs and risk factors present in a person’s life, our awareness should be increased to watch and help that person through difficult times.
Connectedness and involvement with each other can be the single greatest prevention for our family, youth and friends who are at risk, who are in need. The suicidal person is not capable to dealing with their crisis alone. Due to the stigma they may not even be willing to reach out and ask for help. Be aware and attend to those in crisis. Offer to help them make contact with resources that can help. Take them to that help. Never leave a suicidal person alone.
Help yourself and learn as much as you can about suicide, about prevention and intervention. Learn about the community and what help is available. SFL has developed suicide coalitions in both Converse and Niobrara County, called Positively Affecting LiveS (PALS). For more information contact SFL.
If you or someone is in crisis please call our on-call number for help. Or call 911 for emergencies. Help can also be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Links:
http://wdh.state.wy.us/wspi/index.asp