09/20/2024
September is National Su***de Prevention Month.
During this month we both recognize people who have lost their lives tragically to su***de and we raise awareness about prevention.
Seniors in our community are also at risk for su***de and may be in need of mental health services for prevention. There is less discussion in our community about su***de prevention for seniors as there are for other at risk groups.
If there is a senior you love in your life, remembering the "5 D's" may be a helpful tool.
The "5 D's" are risk factors identified by Dr. Yeates Conwell, a professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, that are often linked to su***des in this population.
These 5 risk factors can help you identify a senior in your life who may need intervention or additional resources to help prevent a su***de attempt:
1. Depression
2. Disease (medical illness)
3. Disability
4. Disconnectedness
5. Deadly means (access to fi****ms, medication that can be lethal when abused, etc.)
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the Su***de and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
You can also visit a local crisis center in your area for immediate assistance.
Crisis Center's local to Idaho are listed below:
Northern Idaho Crisis Center
2195 Ironwood Court, Suite D
Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho 83814
208-625-4884 (TTY 711)
Western Idaho Community Crisis Center
524 Cleveland Blvd., Suite 160
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
208-402-1044 (TTY 711)
Pathways Community Crisis Center of Southwest Idaho
7192 Potomac Drive
Boise, Idaho 83704
833-527-4747 (TTY 711)
South East Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center
1001 N 7th Ave N Ste 160
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
208-909-5177 (TTY 711)
Behavioral Health Crisis Center of East Idaho
1650 N Holmes Avenue
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
208-522-0727 (TTY 711)
Crisis Center of South Central Idaho
570 Shoup Avenue W
Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-772-7825 (TTY 711)
Rural Crisis Center Network
Locations in Lewiston, Orofino and Moscow
877-897-9027 (TTY 711)
More information on this topic is included in our blog post linked on this post.
As we observe National Su***de Prevention Month this September, it’s important to shine a light on a group that is often left out of mental health discussions—elderly adults. While much of the focus tends to be on younger generations, seniors face unique mental health challenges that can sometim...