Central Peninsula Hospital | Thrive | Summer 2018

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 1-800-273-8255 . If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk with your health care provider. Do you need a primary care provider? Central Peninsula Family Practice has two locations, in Soldotna and Kenai, and new patients are welcome. Call 907-714-4025 (Kenai) or 907-714-4111 (Soldotna) to make an appointment. Would you be able to tell if someone you cared about was at risk for suicide? That’s a crucial question—taking one’s own life is the 10th leading cause of death nationwide. Most people who want to kill themselves wish there was an alternative to sui- cide. But they’re in so much emotional pain they see no other option. Suicide doesn’t discriminate. People of all ages—from children to seniors—and all ethnic backgrounds are at risk. And while men are more likely to die from sui- cide, women are more likely to attempt it. What to watch for It’s important to know the warning signs for suicide and to take them seriously, especially when someone talks about suicide. It’s a myth that most people who talk about suicide won’t do it. Nearly everyone who attempts it gives a verbal cue—for example, by saying “If I see you again,” “I’d be better off dead”or “There’s no way out.” There are other warning signs to take seriously too. Get help if someone: Maybe those feelings are depression You’re not yourself—you know that much. You’re moody and sadder than usual, and you’re just not enjoying life. Could you be struggling with depression? That’s a crucial question. Depression is highly treatable, often with medicine, talk therapy or other therapies. And get- ting help early can often keep depres- sion from getting worse and lasting a long time. You can feel normal and enjoy life once again. So if there’s any chance you’re depressed, talk to your doctor. Here’s a look at common warning signs. You: ●   ● Cry easily or for no reason. ●   ● Feel guilty or worthless. ●   ● Feel sad, numb or hopeless. ●   ● Feel very tired all the time. ●   ● Are restless and easily annoyed. ●   ● Lose interest in things you once enjoyed, such as sex. ●   ● Eat more—or less—than usual. ●   ● Sleep too much or have problems sleeping. ●   ● Have trouble paying attention, recalling things or making decisions. ●   ● Have aches and pains that don’t get better with treatment. ●   ● Have thoughts of suicide. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Psychiatric Association Know the warning signs and get help S U I C I DE ●   ● Seeks out guns, pills, knives or anything else that could be used for suicide. ●   ● Is obsessed with death—for exam- ple, they might write poems about it. ●   ● Appears hopeless or feels trapped. ●   ● Expresses self-loathing or shame. ●   ● Is self-destructive or reckless. ●   ● Withdraws from family and friends. ●   ● Has dramatic mood changes. ●   ● Says goodbye as though they won’t be seen again. ●   ● Gets their affairs in order—makes a will, for example. Some people are more vulnerable to suicide than others. Risk factors include: ●   ● Mental health problems (such as depression), alcoholism or drug abuse. ●   ● Past suicide attempts or a fam- ily history of suicide or physical or sexual abuse. Take action If there’s any chance you know some- one who’s considering suicide, get them to the nearest emergency depart- ment or call 911. Don’t leave them alone, and remove any weapons or potentially deadly objects, like pills. Sources: American Association of Suicidology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HelpGuide.org; National Institute of Mental Health PULSE Summer 2018 3