sENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273 TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line - Text 'Start' to 741-741

Counseling Services - Pierre Area
Capital Area Counseling Services
224-5811 
295-HELP (on-call counselor)

Rising Hope Counseling
494-1500 - 420 S. Henry St.
*New client referral form on their website risinghopepierre.com

Missouri River Counseling, LLC
222-5989 or 222-9130 - 1309 E. Wells Ave.

Professional Counseling Associates
224-7247 - 740 E. Sioux Ste. 110

RISE Counseling and Consulting, LLC
494-0301 - 1801 E. Wells Ave. Suite 1

Suicide Warning Signs

Signs can vary by person, so it is very important to treat each person and their circumstances individually. The more warning signs they show, the higher risk they may be. Some signs can be associated with everyday behavior. Some people might show none of these signs or show them only in very subtle ways, but still feel suicidal. Others might show some of these signs but are coping. If you feel someone's life is in danger, call 911 immediately
Behavior

• Becoming isolated
• Sudden changes in mood or behavior
• Abusing drugs and alcohol
• A suicide attempt or act of self-harm
• Difficulties at school or work
• Dropping out of activities
• Disinterest in usual activities
• Sleeping or eating difficulties
• High-risk behaviors such as driving a car at high speed

Physical Signs

• Negliecting their appearance, personal hygiene, clothing
• Persistent physical complaints such as chronic pain
• Weight loss or gain due to appetite loss or gain
• Tired or finding it difficult to concentrate

Feelings

• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Helplessness
• Failure
• Feeling life is meaningless
• No sense of purpose

Thoughts

• Gloomy, negative thoughts
• Unable to find solutions to problems
• Very self-critical

Specific Warning Signs
Constantly thinking about death or talking about:

• Dying
• Reappearing or going away
• Funerals
• Suicide methods or other types of self-harm
• Listening to songs with a suicidal theme
• Drawing or writing about suicide

The more detailed a person's plan for suicide is, the more at risk they may be.
Recent loss or other triggers
A person may be particularly vulnerable at a specific time or event such as

• Anniversaries, for example of a loved one's death, a wedding or birthday
• A life change
• Change in financial circumstances
• Trauma or loss

Putting things in order

• Tidying up affairs (such as arranging wills, childcare, care of pets and so on)
• Giving away prized possessions

If you feel someone you know is struggling and having thoughts of suicide...

• Take every single threat seriously
• Show them you care. Ask them what is upsetting them.
• Listen and offer support
• Ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide
• Get professional help

If you feel someone's life is in danger - CALL 911!

• Remove antying that could be dangerous or harmful
• Do not leave the suicidal person alone
• Be positive and point out choices
• Do no promise confidentiality

​**Information taken from Avera St. Mary's Foundation