Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention

Robert Tell, LCSWRobert Tell, LCSWSuicide Prevention CoordinatorSuicide Prevention Coordinator

Portland VA Medical CenterPortland VA Medical Center

What’s the VA doing?What’s the VA doing?

Suicide prevention coordinators in each Suicide prevention coordinators in each medical centermedical center24-hour hotline24-hour hotlineGuide trainingGuide trainingOngoing identification of patients at riskOngoing identification of patients at riskReady access to Mental Health servicesReady access to Mental Health servicesMonitoring and follow-up to maintain Monitoring and follow-up to maintain continuous carecontinuous care

1-800-273-TALK (8255)1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Partnering with SAMHSA and LifelinePartnering with SAMHSA and Lifeline

VA employees 24 hours a dayVA employees 24 hours a day

Veterans, family members, and Veterans, family members, and friends can callfriends can call

Follow up provided by local suicide Follow up provided by local suicide prevention coordinatorsprevention coordinators

It’s everyone’s problemIt’s everyone’s problem

A third of suicides aren’t receiving care.A third of suicides aren’t receiving care.

We need to catch them wherever we can.We need to catch them wherever we can.

Know the warning signs.Know the warning signs.

Ask the questions.Ask the questions.

Refer for help.Refer for help.

Prevention is hard, but it’s worth it.Prevention is hard, but it’s worth it.

Study of people prevented from jumping Study of people prevented from jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge.off of the Golden Gate Bridge.

94% are still alive or died of natural 94% are still alive or died of natural causes after 15 years.causes after 15 years.

A comparison group of people admitted to A comparison group of people admitted to SF Hospital had 89% still alive after 15 SF Hospital had 89% still alive after 15 years.years.

Warning SignsWarning Signs

HopelessnessHopelessnessRage, anger, seeking revengeRage, anger, seeking revengeActing recklessly or impulsivelyActing recklessly or impulsivelyFeeling trappedFeeling trappedIncreased alcohol or drug useIncreased alcohol or drug useWithdrawing from friends, family and society.Withdrawing from friends, family and society.Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the timeAnxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the timePhysical illness (Pain, Nausea, untreatable discomfort)Physical illness (Pain, Nausea, untreatable discomfort)Dramatic changes in moodDramatic changes in moodNo reason for living, no sense of purpose in life.No reason for living, no sense of purpose in life.Talking about suicide!Talking about suicide!

Warning Signs: TalkWarning Signs: Talk

66% said something to a family member or friend66% said something to a family member or friendOvert (active suicidal ideation)Overt (active suicidal ideation)– ““I want to kill myself”I want to kill myself”– ““I am going to kill myself”I am going to kill myself”

Covert (passive suicidal ideation)Covert (passive suicidal ideation)– ““I would be better off dead”I would be better off dead”– ““Life has lost its meaning for me”Life has lost its meaning for me”– ““Its just too much to put up with anymore”Its just too much to put up with anymore”– ““I can’t go on any longer”I can’t go on any longer”– ““Nobody needs me anymore”Nobody needs me anymore”– ““Maybe a car will hit me”Maybe a car will hit me”

Warning Signs: ActionWarning Signs: Action80% give a clue80% give a clue– Buy a gunBuy a gun– Stockpile medicationsStockpile medications– Take a sudden interest, or lose interest in religionTake a sudden interest, or lose interest in religion– Take risksTake risks– Have previous suicide attempt/sHave previous suicide attempt/s– Make amends: Thank You’s & Good-byesMake amends: Thank You’s & Good-byes– Get affairs in order Get affairs in order – Make a WillMake a Will– Give away prized possessionsGive away prized possessions– Have sudden unexplained recoveryHave sudden unexplained recovery

from severe depressionfrom severe depression– Spend Money or give gifts or charity that is out of Spend Money or give gifts or charity that is out of

charactercharacter

Ask the QuestionsAsk the Questions

Are you currently having thoughts that you Are you currently having thoughts that you might be better off dead?might be better off dead?

Are you currently thinking about specific Are you currently thinking about specific ways to hurt or kill yourself?ways to hurt or kill yourself?

Get HelpGet Help

Multnomah (503) 988-4888Multnomah (503) 988-4888

Hillsboro (503) 291-9111Hillsboro (503) 291-9111

Clackamas (503) 655-8401Clackamas (503) 655-8401

Clark County (360) 696-9560 Clark County (360) 696-9560

Washington County (503) 291-9111 Washington County (503) 291-9111

National (800) 273-TALKNational (800) 273-TALK

Means RestrictionMeans Restriction

Guns!Guns!

Bullets in a separate placeBullets in a separate place

Trigger locksTrigger locks

Locked cabinetLocked cabinet

Each provides additive protection!Each provides additive protection!

Portland VAMC Portland VAMC Suicide Prevention CoordinatorSuicide Prevention Coordinator

Robert Tell, LCSWRobert Tell, LCSW

Phone: 503-220-8262 x56198Phone: 503-220-8262 x56198

E-mail: robert.tell@va.govE-mail: robert.tell@va.gov