Nine Californians take their own lives each day on average, and suicide is the third-leading cause of death for individuals ages 16 to 25, according to the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness.
Risk factors and warning signs are often evident, which can help prevent suicide, and suicide prevention resources are available locally and nationally.
Recently, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline changed its phone number to 9-8-8 to make it easy to remember and more accessible. Its previous number, 800.273.TALK (8255), still works and will continue to route calls to crisis centers indefinitely.
Locally, Behavioral Wellness has its 24-Hour Crisis Response and Services Access Line, 888.868.1649, available for Medi-Cal beneficiaries in the county to call during a crisis or to receive mental-health care and resources.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, risk factors for suicide include:
» Depression, other mental disorders or substance use
» Chronic pain
» Family history of a mental disorder, substance use or suicide
» Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
» Previous suicide attempts
The 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the National Institute of Mental Health list the following as warning signs for suicide:
» Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
» Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves
» Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
» Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
» Talking about being a burden to others
» Talking about feeling guilt or shame
» Increased use of alcohol or drugs
» Acting anxious or agitated
» Change in eating and/or sleeping habits
» Withdrawing or isolating themselves
» Extreme mood swings
» Giving away important possessions
» Saying goodbye to friends and family
» Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
Other local resources include the Glendon Association — whose mission is “to save lives and enhance mental health by addressing the social problems of suicide, child abuse, violence and troubled interpersonal relationships” — Casa Pacifica’s SAFTY (Safe Alternatives for Treating Youth) crisis response hotline at 888.334.2777, and several other mental health resources that can be found on Behavioral Wellness’s website.
Additional national resources include the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the Crisis Text Line — available by texting HOME to 741741 — the Trevor Project, the American Association of Suicidology and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
— Noozhawk staff writer Serena Guentz can be reached at sguentz@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.