Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force Sponsors Seminar; How to Recognize and React to Signs of Suicidal Behavior

Sharing the latest in suicide prevention trends and practices with area professionals, the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force sponsored a daylong seminar April 11, 2017, at the College of Lake County's Grayslake campus.

The event was hosted by the College's Human Services and Social Work Department. About 175 professional social workers and other clinicians attended.

Jason I. Chen Ph.D., the Health Services Research and Development Fellow at the VA Portland Health Care System, traveled from Oregon to lead the seminar. Chen is a member of the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) team.

Dr. Chen identified several warning signs that indicate that someone may be at imminent risk of taking their own lives. These include experiencing recent changes in sleep difficulties, hopelessness, anxiety, anger or mood swings, engaging in risky behaviors, withdrawing from family, friends and co-workers, increased use of alcohol and drugs and talking about death and dying.

These factors also may be influenced by significant stressors such as financial loss or relationship instability, Dr. Chen said. For veterans, possible additional stressors include length, frequency and type of deployment, especially if it includes combat.

Protective factors such as a social support system, a sense of purpose, and values and beliefs, may also play a role in someone's thinking and actions, he added.

Dr. Chen told the clinicians that, if they encounter someone who is in a suicidal crisis, they can act with care and compassion by following the VA Office of Suicide Prevention's acronym SAVE:

Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized;

Ask the most important question: "Are you thinking of taking your own life?;

Validate the person's experience; and

Encourage treatment while Expediting the intervention of help.

Asking about the presence of guns also is recommended. Firearms were one of the top five leading causes of injury-related deaths nationwide in 2010. Veterans are more likely to use firearms in acts of suicide than the general population.

Dr. Chen said that calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or 911, can be effective ways to get help for people in crisis.

"We are happy that so many professional attended today's seminar," said Katia Marshall, Chair of the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force. Marshall is a therapist with the Lake County Health Department.

The task force is comprised of members that include the Lake County Health Department, Waukegan Police Department, area first responders, College of Lake County, Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation, Lovell Federal Health Care Center, hospitals, agencies, counseling centers and other resources that can help people in need and in crisis.

"Getting this information to professionals is critical," Marshall said. "It's part of our mission to share prevention best practices and available resources with everyone in Lake County. We thank Dr. Chen and CLC for making this seminar possible."

Copies of the task force's Resource Guide - "Get Help, Have Hope," were distributed to attendees. This handy guide offers the contact information for crisis-related resources across Lake County including: addiction, counseling, dental and medical, disability, domestic violence, financial, hunger, homelessness, general hotlines, military, veteran and families, and seniors.

Copies of "Get Help, Have Hope" are available by contacting Katia Marshall of the Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force at katia.marshall@gmail.com