Sitting on the Bench: Thoughts on Suicide Awareness and Prevention

This is an important video for all to watch, those who may be having thoughts of suicide, to those who may be able to reach out to someone who has such thoughts.

Podemos Ayudar: Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hot Line: Spanish

A Suicide Prevented

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/31/new-york-bus-driver-saves-woman-from-jumping-off-bridge/

This is a story about a bus driver, who prevents a suicide.  I invite you to read the story, and think about what the bus driver does correctly.  First he takes responsibility, then he takes action, he then makes a connection.  "Are you OK?" is all it takes often.  He gets her to a safe place, and then he holds on until help can arrive.  Beautiful story.  Suicide is Preventable.  We can all be part of the cure.

Bay Area Walks to Prevent Suicide

Awareness is and important part of beating suicide; awareness and personal responsibility.  Suicide takes too many of our loved ones and friends before their time.  This is a preventable cause of death, but is always up there in the top ten, it especially hits young people, which makes it even more control.  By responsibility, we need to all be willing to take a part in intervention.  "Are you Okay?" is a question we need to ask more often.  We need to ask this of our loved ones, of our friends, and even of strangers if they appear sad or distressed.  You can save a live.

Bilingual Volunteers: Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis

This flyer explains itself.  If you are interested in volunteering at the suicide and crisis hotline, contact Eddie Subega.  The hotline is certified nationally.  They will train you.  I have taken the training and it is very good.  It helps you make connections quickly with someone who is in crisis, assess the crisis, and get help.  We are all in this together.  This is one way to help each other get through.

Health As I See It: Jeffrey R. Holland Speaks of Compassion and Mental Illness

Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from conference Saturday on mental illness and suicide is classic.  To me it justifies my career selection.  It had me in tears.
http://bcove.me/z72c8hkc
Elder Holland talks about the stigma, and points out there should be no shame in these illnesses, just as there should be no shame for diabetes or other illnesses.
His advice for one we ourselves or loved ones have problems:  Never loss faith in your Father in Heaven.  Quoting President Monson, "God's love is there whether or not you deserve it."  Follow time-tested devotionals in your life, seek priesthood counseling, ask for and cherish priesthood blessings, take the sacrament every week, believe in miracles, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help, get medical care, don't assume you can fix everything but fix what you can and finally be patient.
He concludes with the emotional play, "Whatever ever your struggles, do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it.  Trust in God, hold on in his love.  Know that one day the dawn will break brightly."  Then he says while God works making repairs, "the rest of us can help by being merciful, nonjudgmental and kind."
I encourage you to listen to his remarks. 

Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Santa Clara County

Adoption Discussion 9: Suicide: Something to be Aware of

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/11/adopted-teens-may-be-at-higher-risk-suicide/

Fox news sides presented this story.  It sides two studies, one in Sweden and the other in the U.S. with mostly foreign, Asian adopted children; who as teens show a statistical great likelihood to be at risk for suicide.  The U.S. study said there was a greater chance for suicide attempts, not completed suicides.  The other study, may not apply to our adoption stories. 
Then the story down plays the findings, saying they may not actually apply to American adoption.  However it also states that the things which may apply is the genetic predispositions towards substance abuse or to other conditions which may increase the likelihood for suicide.
The other risk factor is the possibility of trauma before a child is placed with the adoptive family.  This may also be a factor which could increase the risk of suicide as a teenager.  Nationwide, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenager.  Nationwide there are 4600 teens suicides annually in America.
Suicide hotline, 1*855*275*7204  Santa Clara County
National Hotline  1*800*273*8255

Documentary:The Bridge (Suicide) and my Thoughts (to health)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhARXu3wWDc
This is a documentary that was presented on HBO.  It was a bit difficult to watch. I had to do it in several parts.  If this subject is a problem for someone, it would be best they not watch.  The Bridge is a 2006 documentary film by Eric Steel that tells the stories of a handful of few individuals who committed suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004.  They had two cameras filming the bridge  during daylight hours.
This movie was introduced to me at a training I attended this week at work dealing with "Mental Health First Aid."  In the training the presented just one story, of the individual who jumped and survived.  They trainers were making the point that perhaps if someone how, there were times when, if a mental health first aid intervention had been offered, the individual may not have jumped. 
This movie is very impactful.  I don't know how many suicides were taped in the making of this film, but there were several, and many were shown.  The movie becomes more personal as they talk to survivors of suicide, and then show the suicide.  There is one case where someone is able to pull someone back over the railing.
The movie contends that more suicides have taken place here than any other place in the world. 
I was impressed with the showing, and telling of the stories of people in pain.  Some suffered from depression, or other mental illnesses.  Some were homeless, some with substance issues.  There abuse were 24 suicides in 2004 off the bridge.  There were those with relationship issues, and those with loss issues.  It helped me as a mental health worker to step back, and see people as individuals in pain, rather than just callers, or clients. 
Before leaving this some words of advice from someone who has manned the suicide and crisis line, and after-hours line for most of my professional career, 30 years now.  Do not be afraid to ask someone if they are contemplating suicide.  Don't no be afraid to ask, because the asking might save someone's life.  But also be prepared to give some assitance if the answer is "yes." You can refer to a crisis line:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-talk
Santa Clara County Suicide Line  1-855-278-4208
You can explore self-help resources: a friend, a parent, a church leader, a coach whoever.
However: always take it seriously.  Do not minimize how someone else feels.  People hurt, and need support sometimes to make it through a rough period.  Professional help is available: 911, nearest emergency room, county mental health Santa Clara County 1-800-704-0500.
If you would have trouble seeing someone jump to their death, do not watch this movie.  It shows several jumpers, and follows some as they fall.