National Suicide Prevention Month: It only takes one person to save a life.

Nearly 800,000 people die from suicide each year. That's one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens in the U.S. and one in six high school students will seriously consider suicide. It only takes one person to save a life and you can be that one.

It's only human to experience moments of grief, anxiety and depression, but sometimes those feelings can be more than we can cope with on our own. That’s why it’s important for us to know who our “one” person is – the one we can talk to openly and honestly about what we’re feeling. Knowing who this person is before we’re going through something can help us cope with the hard days, weeks and seasons.

For National Suicide Prevention Month, we are asking you to do just this: Find your one and be the one for someone else.

So, how can we look out for each other?

1) Build a Personal Protector Network

Creating and ensuring your loved ones have a trustworthy network of supporters that includes friends, family and medical professionals plays a key role in their mental health and well-being.

2) Commit to Having Honest Conversations

Guarantee you are taking care of your loved ones by having open and honest conversations about how you are doing and how they are doing, and challenge each other to make mental health a priority.

3) Be Kind to Others

Showing compassion for those around you might be the simplest strategy you can use when it comes to making an impact on suicide statistics. Dr. Shelly Farnan is the Vice President of Be Well Initiatives at Burrell Behavioral Health. “It’s really empathy and willingness,” Dr. Farnan says. “We all have the ability to change lives and instill hope.” When you notice someone is struggling—even if you’re not close to them, or if you don’t know them at all—say something.

4) Familiarize Yourself with the Warning Signs

The more warning signs there are, the greater the risk for suicide rises. Not everyone has warning signs, but many do. Here’s what to look for:

• Direct and/or indirect verbal cues. For example, “I wish I was dead,” or, “My family would be better off without me.”
• Behavioral cues: History of suicide attempts, uncharacteristic firearm purchase, saving medication, change in mood, giving away possessions, substance use, unexplained anger, aggression or irritability, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
• Situational cues: Loss of job, expulsion from school, unwanted move, significant loss, serious or terminal illness, loss of freedom, loss of financial security, fear of being a burden.
• General mood or comments about hopelessness.

Using these tips, you can help save a life. Learn more by visiting BurrellCenter.com/ONE.

Resources:

• Be Well Community -- Bringing best practices and brain science to life, tune into the Be Well Community to experience the benefits of self-care and connection. Mondays and Fridays at 12:45 p.m. and Wednesdays at noon on Facebook Live at Facebook.com/burrellcenter.
• Bring Suicide Prevention to Your Organization -- Burrell is offering a free opportunity – the ONE program– to businesses and organizations to provide training and program implementation designed to prevent suicide at your organization. Team members will learn how to talk about suicide, look for warning signs and ultimately look out for each other. Learn more at BurrellCenter.com/ONE.
• Make an appointment with Burrell -- Call 4177615500">417-761-5500 or walk into the Connection Center at 1300 E. Bradford Parkway, Building A, Springfield, MO 65804
• 24/7 Crisis Services -- If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 18004947355">1-800-494-7355 or walk 24/7 to the Behavioral Crisis Center at 800 S. Park Ave., Springfield, MO 65802.

About Burrell Behavioral Health
Burrell Behavioral Health is the second largest behavioral health center in Missouri, working with more than 40,000 clients across 25 counties in Missouri and Arkansas. Burrell has more than 400 licensed providers offering a full continuum of care through our integrated network. Services include individual therapy and counseling, addiction recovery, psychiatric and medication management, educational and therapeutic groups, crisis intervention, medication-assisted treatment, adult stabilization, case management, residential treatment, autism, diagnostic testing and evaluations and developmental disability support. Learn more about Burrell’s programs and services at www.burrellcenter.com.