Suicide Prevention

Suicide is one of the top causes of injury-related death in the Aspirus Health service area. Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. The good news is that suicide is preventable. Everyone can help prevent suicide by learning about risk factors, warning signs, and knowing where to find help.

What to do if you think someone may be suicidal or if you feel suicidal?

• Talk openly with the person you are worried about. Ask the person if they are thinking about suicide or harming themselves. Take their responses seriously. Asking if they are thinking about suicide will not give them the idea to kill themselves.
• Call for help or talk with a professional if you are concerned. If you are experiencing distress or are worried about a family member or friend who may need support, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
  • Call or text 988.
  • Chat at 988lifeline.org
  • In an emergency or if someone is in imminent danger, call 911.
• If it is safe for you to do so, stay with the person until help arrives or the risk has passed.
• Make sure the most common and most lethal methods of suicide (medications and firearms) are securely stored.
  • Resources for reducing access to lethal means:
    • Find medication drop-box locations near you to safely get rid of unneeded medications.
    • Live Today – Put It Away’s Gun Shop Project: View a map of WI facilities (gun shops, shooting ranges, law enforcement agencies, etc.) offering low or no cost safe firearm storage for individuals needing to temporarily store a firearm outside the home. 
    • National Shooting Sports Foundation: Learn more about the options for safe storage of firearms to help determine what will work best for you.
    • Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using a safe storage device. If you don’t have the instructions, you can often access the instruction sheet/manual on the device manufacturer’s website. Some manufacturers also have video demonstrations on their websites or social media channels. For example, Regal Products’ YouTube Channel has videos demonstrating how to install their cable gun locks into various types of firearms. 

Connect to Local Resources

• FindHelp allows you to search by zip code and connect to support, such as financial assistance, food pantries, health care, housing, and other free or reduced-cost help.
• Call/Dial 211. 211 is a free, confidential information & referral service that can connect you with local programs and health and human services. Information Specialists are available 24/7 by phone, and language interpreter services are available.

General Resources

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free and confidential lifeline available 24/7 to provide support to individuals in distress and provide mental health resources.
• CDC’s Emotional Well-Being Page provides tips and resources to help improve your emotional well-being.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. In addition to their free and confidential helpline, NAMI also helps communities across the country with mental health education, support groups, and more.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a free and confidential hotline available 24/7 that provides treatment referral and information services for those facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Resources for Specific Populations

For Men:

• HeadsUpGuys is an anonymous, virtual resource designed for men and their loved ones to access to mental health tips, recovery stories from men who have faced depression, and an international directory of therapists to connect men with mental health professionals.

For Older Adults & Their Caregivers:

• National Council on Aging (NCOA): NCOA provides information and resources on how to manage your mental health as you age. They also provide resources for caregivers.

For Parents:

• American Academy of Pediatrics: The American Academy of Pediatrics’ healthychildren.org site for parents and caregivers provides information and resources about mental health conditions that can affect children and teens and tips for supporting a child’s emotional wellness.

For Rural Communities:

• Farm State of Mind: The American Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind program provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness.
• Rural Minds – Rural Mental Health Resilience Program: The Rural Mental Health Resilience Program provides mental health information, resources and training for people who live in rural communities across the country.

For Teens and Young Adults:

• The Jed Foundation: The JED Foundation is a nonprofit working to empower teens and young adults by building resiliency and life skills, promoting social connectedness, and encouraging help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. They have resources for high school and higher education.
• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ resources): The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization providing information, support, and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 by chat, text, and phone.

For Veterans:

• Veterans Crisis Line – Call/Text/Chat: If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free confidential support 24/7. This is available to all veterans – no matter when, where, or how you served or your discharge status. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Visit the website for online chat and resources. By phone, dial 988 and then press 1. Or text 838255.