Warning Signs

There's no wrong door when
seeking help for emotional crises
& suicide prevention            

Depression is a major cause of suicide. Depression is a mood disorder that can occur at anytime across the lifespan. While it may be triggered by environmental stressors, we now know that depression has certain physiological components, especially in the brain.

The risk for suicide increases when the depressed person abuses drugs and/or alcohol. For most people, depression is highly treatable. Anybody can be at risk. Persons with severe and persistent mental illness are also at high risk for suicide. Other vulnerable populations are older adults and youth between the ages of 15 and 24.

Warning Signs

Key Factors

Online Resources

Older Adults are at High Risk

Children, Teens & Suicide

How You can Help Someone at Risk

Help For Survivors

Portage County Resources

Warning signs

• Previous attempts
• Feeling depressed
• Talking about death and suicide; may also use other forms of expression
• Giving away prized possessions
• Taking unnecessary, dangerous risks
• Having a predetermined method of suicide or a plan and sharing it 
• Appearing suddenly happy after a long depression
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Losing interest in regular activities
• Changing eating and sleeping habits

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Key Factors

• Access to firearms. People who use firearms in their suicide attempt are more likely to die. Seventy percent who complete suicide use a gun.
• Significant loss. Death, separation, divorce, moving and ending a relationship are critical risk factors.
• Family conflict or rejection.
• Family history. Being the survivor of a family member's suicide increases the risk of completing the suicide by six times.
• Childhood trauma. Violence to children is a strong risk factor for suicide when they become teens and adults, particularly victims of child sexual abuse.

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Online Resources

Townhall II Helpline or call 330-678-HELP (4357) or 1-866-449-8518

Townhall II is a community-based agency serving Portage County providing crisis intervention, adduction treatment, counseling for sexual assault, prevention education and a free medical clinic. The agency is based in Kent, Ohio.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education

The mission of SAVE is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

Active Minds

By developing and supporting chapters of a student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy group on campuses, the organization works to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues, provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness, encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed, and serve as liaison between students and the mental health community.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Information and materials also available.

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA

A non-profit organization involved in a wide-range of suicide prevention initiatives: groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects, critical policy work and assistance to people whose lives have been affected by suicide through community-based chapters. Associated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the organization helps to lead a grassroots constituency that can advocate for the policies and legislation at the state and federal levels to advance suicide prevention.

Suicide Prevention Education Alliance

SPEA's mission is to prevent suicide and promote recognition of adolescent depression through education and alliances with community partners. The group's goal is to cause at-risk students to seek and receive treatment from a mental health professional, as treatment is life altering and often lifesaving. SPEA saves families from the unfathomable loss of a child to suicide and helps teens to live healthy, productive lives. It was formerly known as American Foundation of Suicide Prevention of Northeast Ohio. 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

A non-profit organization involved in a wide-range of suicide prevention initiatives: groundbreaking research, new educational campaigns, innovative demonstration projects, critical policy work and assistance to people whose lives have been affected by suicide through community-based chapters. Associated with the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, the organization helps to lead a grassroots constituency that can advocate for the policies and legislation at the state and federal levels to advance suicide prevention.

American Association of Suicidology

The organization promotes research, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. In addition, AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.

National Alliance on Mental Illness or 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

From its inception in 1979, NAMI is a greassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI's support and public education efforts are focused on educating America about mental illness, offering resources to those in need, and insisting that mental illness become a high national priority.

National Institute of Mental Health

A branch of the National Institutes of Health, the mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. 

Red Flags in Children's Behavior

The Red Flags program was created as a school-based depression awareness and intervention program by Mental Health America of Summit County. It is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and endorsed by the Ohio Department of Education for school districts in Ohio. Red Flags helps youth, parents and building staff recognize and respond to signs of depression and related mental health issues.

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program

Yellow Ribbon is a community-based program that empowers and educates professionals, adults and youth. This is a program of people helping people. Our donations are from supporters in communities.

Real Men. Real Depression
Or go to the National Institute of Mental Health site

Women and Depression: Discovering Hope
Or go to the National Institute of Mental Health site

Bipolar Disorder
Or go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness site at www.nami.org or
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance at www.dbsalliance.org

Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide
Or go to the National Institute of Mental Health site
or to the National Alliance on Mental Illness site

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Older persons are at high risk

Depression should not be regarded as a natural occurrence of aging and more information is needed to reach caregivers.

One of the most common conditions associated with suicide in older adults, depression is a widely under-recognized and under-treated medical illness. In fact, several studies have found that many older adults who die by suicide-up to 75 percent-have visited a primary care physician within a month of their suicide. These findings point to the urgency of improving detection and treatment of depression as a means of reducing suicide risk among older persons.

Warning signs of depression in older adults

• Nervous or "empty" 
• Guilty or worthless 
• Very tired and slowed down 
• Not enjoying things the way you used to 
• Restless and irritable 
• Feeling no one loves you 
• Feeling life is not worth living 
• Sleeping more or less than usual 
• Eating more or less than usual 
• Having persistent headaches, stomach aches, or chronic pain

Older Adults: Depression and Suicide Facts

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Risk factors in children and teens

• Depression is a mood disorder that can occur at any time across the lifespan. While it may be triggered by environmental stressors, we now know that depression has certain physiological components, especially in the brain. 
• Infants and very young children may experience depression, but major depression, that is, a depression that interferes with normal functioning, generally makes its first appearance around the time of puberty and is often mistaken for the normal ups and downs of adolescence. 
• Serious depression can be deadly for children and adolescents. More than 5000 young people between the ages of 10 and 25 commit suicide yearly. 
• Depression related suicide is the leading medical cause of death for youth between the ages of 14 and 25. 
• Untreated depression in young people can have long range consequences in impaired educational and social development. Young people with depression and related disorders are at higher risk for substance abuse and ending up in the criminal justice system. 
• Effective treatments for childhood depression are available through mental health professionals or community services for children.
• Most adolescent suicide attempts happen after a relationship conflict. The intent of the behavior appears to be to change the behaviors or attitudes of others, such as parents, boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Many teens display one or more of the problems or warning signs listed here:

• Presence of a psychiatric disorder

• The expression, communication of thoughts of suicide, death, dying, afterlife

• Impulsive and aggressive behavior, frequent expressions of rage

• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs

• Exposure to another's suicidal behavior

• Recent severe stressor

• Family instability, significant family conflict

Red Flags in Children's Behavior

The Red Flags program was created as a school-based depression awareness and intervention program by Mental Health America of Summit County. It is funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and endorsed by the Ohio Department of Education for school districts in Ohio. Red Flags helps youth, parents and building staff recognize and respond to signs of depression and related mental health issues.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

From its inception in 1979, NAMI is a greassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI's support and public education efforts are focused on educating America about mental illness, offering resources to those in need, and insisting that mental illness become a high national priority.

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent's Guide

National Institute of Mental Health

A branch of the National Institutes of Health, the mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.

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Did you know?

Portage County suicide statistics:

Nationally, populations with high suicide rates include: white males over 75, Native Americans, police and firefighters and teens. A person attempting suicide may try an average of seven times before completing suicide. YOU CAN INTERVENE.

What you can do to help a depressed or suicidal person

Listen

Listen carefully. Show your concern.
Allow him or her to express feelings.
Don't judge or tell the person how she or he should be feeling.

Talk

Don't be afraid to talk about suicide.
Ask directly if he or she is considering suicide.
Ask concerned questions.
Express your own concerns in a nonjudgmental manner.

Remember this when helping someone in crisis:

Don't try to handle it alone.
Don't swear yourself to secrecy.
Don't ignore the situation, hoping things will improve.
Don't leave the person alone.
Don't minimize suicidal feelings.

Get help

Arrange for the person to get professional help quickly.
If she or he refuses, get help anyway.

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Help for survivors

Every 17 minutes someone in American completes suicide, often leaving loved ones to cope with terrific loss and unanswered questions. Being a survivor of a loved one's suicide means that you are at a higher risk.

What you can do:

LEARN about the different types of depression. Depression often masquerades as anger and irritability.

LEARN about the ways depression can be successfully treated.

TALK to someone who understands.

ALLOW yourself time to grieve and heal, in your own way.

LEARN to know the warning signs in yourself.

LEARN how to practice good self care.

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Portage County Resources

Suicide Prevention Phone Lines

Coleman Access

24-hour, 330-296-3555
24-hour, 1-877-796-3555 toll free

Townhall II Helpline

24-hour, 330-678-4357
24-hour, 1-866-449-8518 toll free

Counseling, links available to services

Townhall II

330-678-3006

Coleman Professional Services

330-673-1347
1-800-673-1347 toll free

Children's Advantage

330-296-5552

Family & Community Services

330-677-4124

Kent State University

330-672-2487

Hiram College

330-569-5418

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