suicide prevention Archives - Uvalde Hesperian

Why Suicide Is Not The Answer To Your Problems

admin — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:36:13 +0000

12-23-24

Article Submitted by Stan Popovich

Stan Popovitch

For many people, in addition to their hardships and mental health challenges, their thoughts are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. This can paralyze a person, making it challenging to function or think rationally.

If you’ve ever felt like this—if you’ve ever felt like suicide is an option—keep in mind that, regardless of your situation, everything changes over time. You may feel like you can’t take it any longer, but the pain you feel won’t last forever. Even if you feel like your future is hopeless, no one can predict the future, and things can improve.

Suicide is not the answer. If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide, here’s what you should do.

Go To The Hospital Immediately If It’s More Than Just Thoughts

If you have a plan in place for a suicide, or you’ve acquired the means to complete a suicide, you must call 911 immediately. Or reach out to a loved one and tell them what’s going on—they will likely intervene and bring you to the hospital. You can also call your therapist or psychiatrist, if you have one, and they will help you. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is also available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

Seek Help

If your life is not in immediate danger, the first step is to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. Suicidal ideation is serious and should not be ignored—it requires proper care. Your loved ones, friends, relatives, priests, etc. are all potential sources of help, but they cannot and should not replace professional help. Regardless of your situation, it is essential to ask for help when you need it.

Focus On The Facts Of Your Situation And Not Your Thoughts

When people are depressed, they often can only “hear” their fearful, negative thoughts. This will only make you feel worse. Your fearful thoughts are exaggerated and not based in reality.

When you’re depressed or anxious, focus on the facts of your current situation and not on your fearful and suicidal thoughts. When going through a difficult time, you will tend to think of negative things which might be related to suicide. When this happens remind yourself that your thoughts may exaggerate your current situation. During these cases its best to talk to your counselor who can give you advice on how to reduce symptoms and handle your difficult emotions.

Remember That No Situation Is Hopeless

You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. Even if things look bleak, there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to help overcome your current situation. Remember that all you can do is try your best each day—for yourself. Show self-compassion for the challenges you face and remember that patience, persistence, education, and commitment will go a long way in improving your mental health. Most importantly, get help right away when you feel that suicide is your only option.

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” For more information go to Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com/

The post Why Suicide Is Not The Answer To Your Problems appeared first on Uvalde Hesperian.

45-year-old man takes his own life inside vehicle at Shell Station in Sabinal late Wednesday night

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:24:36 +0000

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Note: The Uvalde Hesperian will not release the subjects name allowing for officials to notify the victim’s family members.

12-19-24

A 45-year-old man with a gun took his own life late in the evening of Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 according to a source and the police report issned by the Sabinal Police Department.

Uvalde County Constable posted the following on his Facebook Page:

“LARGE POLICE PRESENCE: 10:40 pm.

** Sabinal Shell Gas Station **

HWY 90 E/ Center St.

Male subject is threatening his own life with a firearm. Several law enforcement agencies on scene. Uvalde EMS on standby. PLEASE AVOID THE AREA. DO NOT DRIVE NEAR THE LOCATION.”

In an update post made by Zamora at 11:43 PM, it stated:

Sabinal Justice of the Peace has arrived at location. We lift up our hearts in prayer for all those affected by this difficult situation.

There is always help available. Please dial 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).Local 24/7 Crisis Line 1-877-466-0660

You are not alone! Help is available “

According to a press release issed by the Sabinal Police Department, a woman accompanying the subject were in Hondo earlier in the evening and made contact with the Hondo Police Department. A Sabinal Police Officer who made contact with the woman who said she informed that Hondo Police Department the subject had a gun and she felt unsafe. She was instructed to pull into the Shell Station at 101 West Fisher in Sabinal. The woman stated she went into the Sabinal Station and informed the staff her boyfriendwas in the vehicle and that he had a gun. She then went into a back room at the store where she made contact with a Sabinal Police Officer.

The Sabinal Police Officer made contact with the subject (boyfriend) inside the vehicle. The officer spoke with the subject for several minutes and asked him to put the gun away so they could talk but the subject refused. According to the report the subject stated he was tired and pointed the gun to his head several times.

Uvalde County Sheriff’s Officers and Border Patrol Agents arrived on the scene. Sheriff’s officers tried to talk to the subject but he refused. The subject laid down in the back seat of the car and would later take his own life inside the vehicle.

The Coroner arrived at 12:20 AM and the vehicle was towed to an inpound lot.

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Suicide Prevention Month resources from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

admin — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:28:41 +0000

Press release from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

09-27-24

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of suicide and taking them seriously. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. National and local mental health services, listed below, offer telephone, chat, text and other resources for people who are at risk of suicide. Contact your local mental health authority or call 2-1-1 and ask for the LMHA in your area.

Learn important information on how to help someone who may have suicidal thoughts or feelings. Download the suicide prevention wallet card (PDF) which identifies warning signs, specific steps to help someone and resources to get help.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text: 9-8-8
Chat online: 988lifeline.org
Support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Support for Veterans and Their Loved Ones

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring and confidential support 24/7.

Call: 9-8-8 and Press 1
Chat online: veteranscrisisline.net
Send a text message: 838255
Support for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

To learn how to support military service members, veterans and their families in a crisis, download Suicide Prevention for Military Service Members and Veterans (PDF) and Suicide Prevention for Military Families (PDF).

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support and trains volunteers to support people in crisis.

Text: TX to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support in the U.S.
Visit: crisistextline.org

Language Matters

Discussing suicide in a neutral and factual manner decreases stigma and encourages others to open up about suicide. Download Language Matters: Talking About Suicide (PDF) for more information about speaking about suicide in a safe and caring manner.

Postvention

Postvention describes the response provided to individuals and communities to promote hope and healing after a suicide death. To learn more about safe postvention practices, download Postvention (PDF).

Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is real and affects people working in the mental health field. Combating compassion fatigue is an important part of suicide prevention. Learn more about the symptoms of compassion fatigue by downloading Compassion Fatigue (PDF).

Parent and Youth Suicide Prevention

It is important for parents to know how to talk to their youth about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with youth to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF) and Youth Suicide Prevention Wallet Card (PDF).

Teacher and Youth Suicide Prevention

It is important for school personnel to know how to talk to their student about suicide prevention. To learn about connecting with students to discuss thoughts of suicide, download the Teacher Youth Suicide Prevention (PDF).

Suicide Prevention Among Youth Involved with the Justice System

Suicide is the leading cause of death among incarcerated youth. If you work with incarcerated youth, learn about the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors by downloading Suicide Prevention Among Youth Involved with the Justice System (PDF).

Older Adult Suicide Prevention

Discussions about mental health and checking in with older adults who have experienced a significant loss is important. To learn more, download the Mental Health in Older Adults (PDF) informational flyer.

Care Transitions for People Receiving Suicide Crisis Services

During transitions in care, it is critical for caring professionals, family and friends to maintain contact with the person in care. To learn more, download the Transitions in Care for People Receiving Suicide Crisis Services (PDF) informational flyer.

Suicide Prevention for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities also have thoughts of suicide. To learn more, download the Suicide Prevention for Individuals with IDD informational flyer (PDF).

Suicide Prevention for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries

People who experience a traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of suicide. To learn more, download the Traumatic Brain Injury and Suicide Risk flyer (PDF).

Survivors of Suicide Loss

Grieving someone who died by suicide brings unique challenges as the person who died seems to have chosen death. To learn more, download the Survivors of Suicide Loss (PDF) informational flyer.

Suicide Prevention and Adults in a Correctional Facility

Incarcerated adults are at higher risk of suicide than the general population. To learn more, download the Suicide Prevention and Adults in a Correctional Setting flyer (PDF).

Nurse Suicide Prevention

Nurses and other clinicians experience high rates of burnout. Compared to the general population, they are at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Learn more about preventing suicide among nurses from the American Nurses Association.

Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network

The MHTTC provides training and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of the behavioral health and related workforces to deliver evidence-based practices to people with mental illness. Its Northeast and Caribbean region provides many resources in English and Spanish and recently produced two resources for assessing and evaluating suicide risk.

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative developed the Texas State Plan for Suicide Prevention 2023-2028 and provides free resources, educational information, phone apps and training.

Visit: texassuicideprevention.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP has local chapters throughout the state that can deliver education programs to schools, workplaces and communities.

Visit: afsp.org/our-work/education/

National Alliance on Mental Illness

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Local NAMI chapters can deliver education programs to communities.

Visit: nami.org

Help Outside the United States

To find a suicide helpline outside the United States, visit:

Provider Resources

Visit our Behavioral Health Services Providers page to find additional information and resources including information on the state suicide prevention programs.

Information provided by Texas Health and Human Services

Suicide Prevention | Texas Health and Human Services

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