Suicide Prevention

For information about QPR Suicide Prevention Training, please visit bchd.org/mentalhealthtraining.

1 in 5 people may struggle with a mental health condition.

In our Beach Cities community, many adults and youth are struggling emotionally.

37% of Beach Cities 11th graders reported chronic sadness or hopeless feelings over the past 12 months
18% of Beach Cities 11th graders reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past 12 months
50% of Beach Cities adults reported experiencing significant daily stress
15% of Beach Cities adults reported being diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime

Friends, family or colleagues may be suffering emotionally, and we may not recognize the symptoms. Here are five signs that may indicate that someone is in emotional distress and might need help:

Personality changes
A person may undergo sudden or gradual behavior changes.
Uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated or moody
A person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and seems irritable or unable to calm down.
Withdrawal or isolation from other people
A person who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends and stop taking part in activities that used to be enjoyable. In more severe cases, the person may start missing school or work.
May neglect self-care and engage in risky behavior
A person’s level of personal care changes or they commit an unexpected act of poor judgment.
Overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by circumstances
A person who used to be optimistic now can’t find anything to be hopeful about. That person may be suffering from extreme or prolonged grief, feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

You Recognize Someone is Struggling. Now What?

The first step in having a conversation about mental health is noticing the signs.

Connect through your regular interaction with the person, note any changes in behavior.
Reach out. Check in with the person. “How are you doing?” is a simple way to engage.
Inspire hope. Tell them that you care about them.
Offer help. It may take more than one offer, and you may need to reach out to others who share your concern about the person.
Show compassion. Show a willingness to find a solution when the student may not know they need help.