Watch for suicide signs

May 20, 2008 04:55 pm

— The story was not the normal Mother’s Day story. It was a heart-breaking story, one that occurs frequently in Oklahoma.
On Mother’s Day, the Phoenix published a story about a mother who lost her son to suicide. He had been diagnosed with depression and given medication. However, four days later, he took his life at 26 years of age.
Oklahoma’s suicide rate is higher than the national average. The suicide rate is about 11 for every 100,000 people nationally. In the state, the rate is more than 14 per 100,000 people.
The rise in numbers of suicides, especially among youths, has been so alarming that at the end of the last century, in 1999, the Oklahoma Legislature created a task force on youth suicide. Three years ago, the state received $1.2 million federal grant to fund youth suicide prevention programs.
Suicide is most commonly associated with depression, though that’s not the only reason people commit suicide.

Help numbers
State Reachout hotline: (800) 522-9054.
Teenline: (800) 522-TEEN.
NationalSuicide line (800) 273-TALK.
Signs
• Has trouble eating or sleeping. • Experiences drastic changes in behavior • Withdraws from friends and/or social activities. • Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc. • Has had recent severe losses.• Loses interest in their personal appearances.• Increases the use of alcohol or drugs.

Medical experts say that people should watch for telltale signs of suicidal tendencies, especially drastic changes in behavior, loss of interest in work and other activities, and withdrawal. The experts also say when those signs appear in loved ones or friends, show interest in them, listen and talk frankly, but don’t be judgmental.
And get help by contacting a doctor or calling a suicide prevention resource center.