Talking about suicide is the first step in preventing it. The next step is intervention, which includes educating and connecting those in need to resources that could save their life.

The goal of National Suicide Prevention Week, held this year from Sept. 5 to 11, is to raise awareness and inform individuals about the actions they can take to prevent suicide from occurring in their own communities. It is an opportunity to reduce the stigma surrounding the topic, encourage mental health assistance and connect those at risk to invaluable resources.

Meghan Francone, Director of OHA

“Many people in our community are aware that suicide is a problem, but how do we take another step forward and move beyond awareness? We ensure individuals can access the resources they need, as everyone’s needs are different,” said Meghan Francone, MHA, BS SLP/Aud., CFI, director of Open Heart Advocates through Community Clinics at Memorial Regional Health and Moffat County Coordinator for Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide (REPS).

“Suicide is not the problem; the problem is the perception that suicide is the solution,” she continued. “Our community has dozens of amazing resources, and people need to know that it’s OK to reach out and utilize them.”

How Moffat County is affected

Suicide is the most preventable form of death, and it’s an issue that affects individuals of every age, gender and background in Moffat County. There have been two suicides in 2021. Four occurred in 2020. In 2019, eight individuals took their lives.

Open Heart Advocates recently added a safety advocate program at Memorial Regional Health that connects mental health patients with an advocate while they are in the hospital. The advocate serves as the patient’s support system and ensures they have access to resources that will deter them from self-harm or suicide.

“We want our patients to feel comfortable sharing with us so that we can offer the appropriate resources and support,” Francone said. “We work directly with patients thinking about suicide and remind them they’re not alone in this. We can help them find ways to feel better about themselves and about life.”

Anyone can be at risk for suicide, but there are several specific health, environmental and historical risk factors to watch for among your loved ones. Suffering from a job loss, homelessness or a traumatic event could trigger suicidal thoughts. Being a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault is a risk factor. Changes in behavior — negative or positive — is also a risk factor.

If you recognize warning signs in a loved one, Francone said it’s important to ask the suicide question without imparting any judgment. Directly ask them: “Are you thinking about ending your life?” If they are forthcoming with you, you can take the conversation from suicide prevention to suicide intervention, which is when the individual is directly connected to local resources.

“This is a community discussion, topic and issue,” Francone said. “We encourage our community to reach out and talk to our advocates or someone they trust if they are thinking about suicide. Our goal is to work together to ensure everyone has access to effective, comforting support.”

Talking about suicide with your children

An article from the Colorado Sun reported that suicide attempts and mental health crises among Colorado youth are on the rise. Moffat County children are not excluded from those statistics.

“We’re seeing a lot of youth who are being impacted with these thoughts, and unfortunately, taking action,” Francone said. “We want to express that they are not alone. There is help. Help looks different for everyone and that’s OK. We’re happy to wrap around every individual and work with patients of any age when they reach out to us.”

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, about 100,000 teenagers between 15 and 19 years old died by suicide between 1975 through 2015, the most recent year covered by the study. Males take their lives at 3 to 4 times the rate as their female peers. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that most children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression.

So, how do you talk to your child about their mental health, especially if you notice changes in their behavior or other suicide risk factors?

“Trust your gut feeling, and if something isn’t right, please have a conversation with your child,” Francone recommends. “It may be uncomfortable, but not talking about suicide doesn’t work. Have these conversations regularly and ask your child about their mental health as you would ask them about taking their vitamins or brushing their teeth.”

Jamie Fraipont-Daszkiewicz, CMLC-TI, CBCC, CDD, CSTS, Advocates Programs & Grants Manager at Open Heart Advocates, teaches mental health and suicide prevention trainings in the community. She said the best and most proactive action you can take in preventing youth suicide is to love your children and engage in open conversations with them.

If your child is not ready to talk, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention suggests leaving the invitation open for a later conversation. Ensure you let your child know you are there to listen and support them with no judgment. If you’re not sure how to start a conversation about suicide or mental health with your child, OHA can provide you with the resources and guidance you need.

“Mental health is the same as physical health, and it’s only uncomfortable if you don’t talk about it,” Fraipont-Daszkiewicz concluded. “When kids feel seen and heard, they open up — which might surprise you. If they think talking about their feelings will be an issue with you, they’ll isolate themselves, which is a driver of suicide. Love and accept your children unconditionally and say it over and over. You could save their life.”