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September is National Suicide Prevention Month — a time when communities across the country are encouraged to talk openly about suicide, recognize warning signs and most importantly, understand that suicide prevention belongs to all of us. This year, The Wellness Council of Greater Colorado Valley is shining a light on a connection that deserves more attention: Anxiety and Suicide Risk.
Anxiety disorders are much more than ordinary worry; they are brain disorders! When anxiety becomes persistent, excessive, difficult to control or disruptive to everyday life, it may become an anxiety disorder.
Think about what persistent anxiety can do to a person’s world. Sleep may become difficult. Concentration can suffer. Physical symptoms—racing heart, shortness of breath, trembling, headaches, stomach problems and muscle tension— can become frightening. A person may begin avoiding school, work, church, social activities, driving, travel or simply leaving home.
Research has consistently found an association between anxiety symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. One study, for example, found that people reporting recent anxiety symptoms were about five times more likely to screen positive for suicide risk.
When someone feels trapped by overwhelming emotional or physical distress, hopelessness can develop. That is why recognizing anxiety can be an important part of suicide prevention.
We do not need to diagnose someone. We simply need to know the symptoms and take notice of an individual – friend or family – and reach out to them.
- Has a friend become unusually withdrawn?
- Are they increasingly anxious, agitated or overwhelmed?
- Are they sleeping much more—or much less?
- Has a family member stopped doing things they once enjoyed?
- Are they talking about feeling trapped, hopeless?
- Are they saying they feel like a burden to everyone?
- Have they stated they have no reason to live?
And what can we do? LISTEN! And don’t try to ‘fix’ everything. Take the person’s fear seriously—even if the fear doesn’t make sense to you.
The Mental Health First Aid Class that Texana Behavioral Clinic and The Wellness Council have been sponsoring locally – seven classes total to date – teaches the ALGEE technique to assist you if you have concerns about a person’s mental statis:
- Assess for suicide or harm
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other supportive strategies.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis before you show your concern and offer assistance. Prevention can be rather simple: listening, showing you care and you are aware can remove the person’s sense that they are alone.
Colorado County has a Mental Health Deputy who is trained to talk with and provide support to individuals with Anxiety, Depression, PTSD Disorders as well as other mental health disorders. Simply call 911 Dispatcher and let them know you have concern about a friend, family member or neighbor and you’d like the Mental Health Deputy to make a visit. Of course, if there is a crisis, tell the 911 Dispatcher it is a crisis so immediate help can be sent Additionally, the National Crisis Hotline -- 988 – is available 24/7 at no cost to the caller. Individuals can Call-Text-Chat; there are counselors available also especially for Veterans, our Spanish speaking citizens, and other special populations.
Remember, when we understand what anxiety looks like, we are better equipped to recognize it, respond with compassion and connect people with help.
