SUICIDE: Warning signs
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Published: December 2, 2008
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What to do
What should you do if someone you know shows warning signs of suicide?
→If you are a child or teen, you should talk to a trusted adult right away.
→If your child is showing warning signs, you should find professional help for that child. You can find local resources by calling the Reach Out Hotline toll-free at (800) 522-9054.
→If you are considering suicide, you can get help or just someone to talk to at (800) 273-TALK.
Talk to your child about suicide
"It’s one of the most common myths, that if you talk to someone about suicide that you might plant the idea in their head or increase their risk,” said Jessica Hawkins, director of prevention services at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. "That’s absolutely false.”
In fact, she said, talking openly to your child about suicide can reduce your child’s risk for suicidal thoughts.
"Starting that conversation actually brings down walls, opens up lines of communication and can provide a tremendous amount of relief to a person who has been carrying this burden for months, maybe years,” she said. "We have to get over this stigma about talking about suicide.”
Related Topics:
Culture and Lifestyle, Health and Fitness, Social Issues, Depression, Mental Health, Mood Disorders, Family, Parenting, Death and Dying, Suicide
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