Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Out of the Darkness - suicide prevention

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and for every suicide there are 25 attempts, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The Panhandle Health Group, in connection with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), is hosting a suicide awareness and prevention walk, Out of the Darkness, on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Legion Park in Sidney.

While there is no single cause for suicide, it most often occurs when one cannot cope with current stressors, and often underlying mental health conditions factor in.

Some mental health conditions that can contribute to suicide include depression, which is often undiagnosed or untreated, anxiety and substance abuse.

According to the AFSP, those who may be suicidal often exhibit warning signs including talking about being a burden, feeling trapped, experiencing unbearable pain, lacking a reason to live or killing themselves.

Sometimes suicidal people will increase alcohol or drug use, act recklessly in other ways, research modes of suicide, withdraw from others and activities, be aggressive, visit or call to say goodbye or give away possessions.

Additionally, those who are considering suicide may display depression, loss of interest, rage, irritability, humiliation and anxiety, according to the AFSP.

If you think you may know someone displaying suicidal tendencies call Panhandle Health Group at 308-635-3171 for help, if you are contemplating suicide, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) or text the crisis text line by texting TALK to 741741.

Registration for Out of the Darkness begins at 8:30 and the walk will commence at 9.

To register early visit afsp.org/sidney.

 
 
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