Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. September is Suicide Prevention Month and to help start the conversation around mental illness, we invited New Directions to share some suicidal warning signs and ways to take action.
The conversation about suicide seems to be more prevalent today than ever before. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, over 1 million suicide attempts are made every year.
So what can we do to change the statistics? Simply talking about our mental and emotional struggles helps reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, which often prevents people from seeking help. Here are some warning signs that might indicate someone is suicidal:
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Giving away prized possessions
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
Suicide is preventable, and it’s up to everyone to learn and recognize the warning signs. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it is important to take it seriously. You can:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Call a local counseling office and schedule an urgent appointment
- Text START to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. at any time, about any type of crisis
New Directions Behavioral Health