The Voice of Southwest Louisiana September 2019 Issue

SWLA Health Center
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
(NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION)
By Consuela Colston, LCSW
Life and living has a special
significance for each of us. We
move, breathe and go about
each day searching for our happiness,
purpose, niche, or destiny. Along that
daily journey many of us are faced with
challenges, struggles and stressors that
become overwhelming, devastating
and paralyzing. Individuals view these
circumstances daunting and consider or
choose to end their life.
According to the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) 2018, Suicide is a leading
cause of death in the US. Suicide
rates increased in nearly every state
from 1999 through 2016. The highest
suicide rates in the US are among Whites,
American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Suicide among males is 4x’s higher than
among females. Male deaths represent
79% of all US suicides. (CDC) Females
are more likely than males to have had
suicidal thoughts. (CDC) 1 in 100,000
children ages 10 to 14 die by suicide each
year. (NIMH) 7 in 100,000 youth ages 15
to 19 die by suicide each year. (NIMH)
12.7 in 100,000 young adults ages 20-24
die by suicide each year. (NIMH) suicide is
the third leading cause of death among
African-American young people. (CDC)
Suicide rates among the elderly are
highest for those who are divorced or
widowed. (CDC)
Suicide is complicated and does not
discriminate. People of all genders,
ages, and ethnicities can be at risk.
Suicide is complex and there is no
single cause. In fact, many people who
die by suicide are not known to have a
diagnosed mental health condition at
the time of death. Other problems often
contribute to suicide, such as those
related to relationships, substance use,
physical health, and job, money, legal, or
housing stress. (CDC)
Often, family and friends are the
first to recognize the warning signs
of suicide and can be the first step
toward helping an at-risk individual
find professional help. Please read
the characteristics that people at risk
tend to share: depression, other mental
disorder, or substance abuse disorder;
certain medical conditions; chronic
pain; a prior suicide attempt; family
history of mental disorder or substance
abuse; family history of suicide; family
violence, including physical or sexual
abuse; having guns or other firearms in
the home; having recently been released
from prison or jail; being exposed to
others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of
family members, peers, or celebrities.
(NIMH)
Knowing the warning signs for suicide
and how to get help can help save
lives. The behaviors listed below may
be signs that someone is thinking about
suicide: talking about wanting to die
or wanting to kill themselves; talking
about feeling empty, hopeless, or
having no reason to live; making a plan
or looking for a way to kill themselves,
such as searching for lethal methods
online, stockpiling pills, or buying a
gun; talking about great guilt or shame;
talking about feeling trapped or feeling
that there are no solutions; feeling
unbearable pain (emotional pain or
physical pain); talking about being a
burden to others; using alcohol or drugs
more often; acting anxious or agitated;
withdrawing from family and friends;
changing eating and/or sleeping habits;
showing rage or talking about seeking
revenge; taking great risks that could
lead to death, such as driving extremely
fast; talking or thinking about death
often; displaying extreme mood swings,
suddenly changing from very sad to very
calm or happy; giving away important
possessions; saying goodbye to friends
and family; putting affairs in order,
making a will. (NIMH)
If warning signs apply to you or someone
you know, get help as soon as possible,
particularly the behavior is new or has
increased recently. One resource is the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline,
1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Resources:
National Institute of Mental Health.
Suicide Prevention, www.nimh.nih.gov
Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
Vital Signs/Suicide, 6/2018, www.cdc.gov.
vital signs
Events|Seniors|Glamour
337.842.7202
WWW.VINHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
The Bassman Presents: The Listening Room with Courtney “Courthouse” Barrett (L),
DeAndre “Beatdocta” Hamilton (R) and The Bassman (M), is a weekly web series on facebook
live, provides “local artists” from around the country, a platform for their music to be heard,
critiqued by veteran producers, engineers, and a radio personality, voted on by the online
audience, and various special guests like ‘Runnin Up Tha Check Challenge’ (RUTCC) creator,
Mr CHRIS, winner of ‘RUTCC’ Dezzy Dukes, local artists DonDairy Nelson, and legendary DJ and
radio personality DJ Big Tymer.
Whomever receives the most likes at the end of the show gets their (CLEAN) music sent to
Program Directors across the country and hopefully they’ll play it on their respective stations.
99.5 theVERT, an online radio station ( https://live365.com/station/99-5-theVERT-a32159 ),
plays the winners regularly.
The Listening Room also facilitates networking opportunities for artists, beat makers, etc.
So check us out every Thursday evening around 8pm on facebook live for The Bassman
Presents: The Listening Room and let’s help get these young/new artists in the right hands.
If you or someone you know would like their music featured on The Listening Room, send it to
us at: vertthebassman@gmail.com
Send a CLEAN version along with your ‘vulgar’ music, because no program director is going to
play ‘vulgar’ on their station.
https://live365.com/station/99-5-theVert-a32159
8 September 2019 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 7 • Number 2 Volume 7 • Number 2 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM September 2019 9