Suicide Awareness & Prevention With Dr. Stevan Lahr From Family And Children Services Of Oklahoma

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and in the US, one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. On Tuesday, Dr. Stevan Lahr with Family and Children Services of Oklahoma about how to recognize the warning signs of suicide.

Stacia: What are the risk factors for suicide?

Dr. Lahr: So some of the risk factors of suicide, the number one is the presence of a mental health condition. Almost 50% of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition. Other risk factors can include a family history of suicide, dealing with a chronic health condition, substance use, a recent tragedy or loss or prolonged stress.

Stacia: What are some of the warning signs of suicide?

Dr. Lahr: if you're at risk of suicide, some of the warning sites include drastic mood changes, starting to talk or write more about death or suicide, trying to tie up your loose ends, saying goodbye to family or just withdrawing from social events and social circles. I think the key here is there's normally some type of change of routine or behavior right before so it just highlights the importance of family and communities to stay connected, checking in on each other, and not being afraid to ask someone if they need help or they're doing OK.

Stacia: If you are concerned about a loved one, what are those steps that we could take? What should we do? Kind of step-by-step, if we're concerned.

Dr. Lahr: The first thing is to talk with them, let them know that you're concerned, why you're concerned and that they're not alone and that there's help. And so then partner with them in getting help, getting them connected to a mental health professional. So that could look like calling a crisis line together, like our copes line 744-4800 or maybe it's helping them make an appointment, or showing up with an appointment with them and don't give up.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, you can call Suicide and crisis Lifeline at 988, it's available 24, hours a day, seven days a week.

It is our policy to provide resources for anybody considering self-harm when reporting about a situation involving suicide or a suicide attempt.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.