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CCMH Senior Life Solutions Observes National Suicide Prevention Month

September 30, 2020

On Sept. 4, Carroll County Presiding Commissioner Stan Falke (center) signed a proclamation honoring September 2020 as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. County Commissioners Bill Boelsen (left) and David Martin (right) were present during the signing.

CARROLLTON, Mo. – September was National Suicide Prevention Month and Carroll County Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions hosted different activities and events to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.

On Sept. 4, Carroll County Presiding Commissioner Stan Falke signed a proclamation honoring September 2020 as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

“As the presiding commissioner, I call upon the citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools in Carrollton, Missouri to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of suicide, the steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental health conditions,” Falke said in the proclamation.

Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

On Sept. 24, CCMH employees took a moment to walk for the cause during their lunch break. Staff checked in at the main entrance and took a healthy break from their duties to walk the walking trail, down Jefferson Street or around the hospital premises. Those participants were entered into a drawing to receive a treat from the CCMH 4 Corners Café.

“It was nice to see staff take time out of their day and help raise awareness by supporting the cause,” said Mindie Stovall, RN, CCMH Senior Life Solutions Program Director. “We have all been feeling the stress of COVID-19 mentally and the sense of isolation it has caused. It’s important to take time for yourself to relax and promote a healthy you. Sunlight and fresh air aid in helping increase a positive state of mind.”

Other activities included a purple and teal dress down Friday, a trivia game, staff emails and social media posts bringing light to suicide awareness through the #BeThe1To campaign.

#BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, spreading the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help, and give hope. Together, we can prevent suicide by learning to help ourselves, others, and seek consultation from trained providers when necessary.

The five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention. Step #1: ASK. Step #2: Keep Them Safe. Step #3: Be There. Step #4: Help Them Connect. Step #5: Follow Up.

CCMH’s Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy and tele-therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults living with symptoms of age-related depression or anxiety, dealing with difficult life transitions, a recent health diagnosis or the loss of a loved one. 

“It is important to reach people early,” Stovall said. “We know it can be difficult to ask for help, but by educating our community we hope we can show people that it is okay to reach out and ask for help for themselves or a loved one.”

According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide and they are important to be aware of.

Several risk factors may include:

  • A preexisting mental disorder
  • Alcohol or substance use disorder
  • Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
  • Major physical illness
  • Job or financial loss
  • Loss of relationship(s)
  • Access to lethal means
  • Lack of social support and sense of isolation

“The stigma associated with asking for help and a lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment can also pose as risk factors to an individual,” Stovall said. “We work to lessen the stigma and increase access to behavioral healthcare.”

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline also states that knowing these warning signs may help determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide:

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Extreme mood swings

For more information, or if an older loved one is in need of help, call Carroll County Memorial Hospital Senior Life Solutions program at 660-542-1695 ext. 3208.

For more information about the services at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, visit our website http://www.carrollcountyhospital.org or call 660-542-1695.

ABOUT SENIOR LIFE SOLUTIONS

Founded in 2003, Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), a leading behavioral healthcare management company.  Focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities, PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 25 states. The company's services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems.  For more information, visit www.seniorlifesolutions.com.

ABOUT CARROLL COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Carroll County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), the area’s premier healthcare resource, is a 25-bed Critical Access facility serving Carrollton and the surrounding communities. It offers 24-hour emergency care, specialized services such as advanced diagnostics, post-acute skilled care (swing bed) and comprehensive family care. CCMH is dedicated to the Health and Well Being of All We Serve. For more information, visit carrollcountyhospital.org.