Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Hosts Suicide Prevention Training

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Human Services (DHS) today hosted suicide prevention trainings to students and staff at Spring Grove Area High School.

Mental health and suicide are often related topics. May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Pennsylvania and provides a perfect opportunity to raise awareness of suicide, fight stigma and educate the public. According to Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol and drug abuse are second only to depression and other mood disorders as the most frequent risk factors for suicide. 

"In the U.S., one person dies by suicide every 13.3 minutes and almost three Pennsylvania adults die by suicide each day," DHS Acting Secretary Ted Dallas said. "We need to talk about this, reduce the stigma attached to suicide and prevent more lives from being taken."

Lynn Patrone, chief of staff at DHS' Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) spoke about suicidal ideation, how to ask if a loved one is feeling suicidal and offered successful prevention methods.

The best way to prevent suicide is through early detection, diagnosis and treatment of depression and other mood disorders.

Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or obtaining a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

Other behaviors may also indicate a serious risk—especially if the behavior is new, has increased, and/or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change:

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

"Many Pennsylvanians struggle with depression and other mental health conditions every day," Patrone said. "There are techniques proven to help, and I look forward to sharing these techniques in the hopes of avoiding just one more preventable death."

For more information about DHS programs and services focused on mental health visit www.dhs.state.pa.us.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

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