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Suicide Prevention

CALL FOR HELP!

If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, CALL 211 immediately.

If you or someone you know has harmed themselves, CALL 911 immediately.

Signs of Suicide Program

New Horizons Mental Health Services provides the Signs of Suicide Prevention Program (SOS) to selected Fairfield County school districts. 

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SOS is unique among school-based suicide prevention programs as it incorporates two prominent suicide prevention strategies into a single program:

  • An educational curriculum that raises awareness about suicide and depression
  • A brief screening for depression

The SOS Program uses a simple and easy-to-remember acronym, ACT® (Acknowledge, Care, Tell), to teach students action steps to take if they encounter a situation that requires help from a trusted adult. SOS is offered for both middle and high school-aged youth and can be implemented in one class period.

New Horizons Mental Health is able to offer this program because of the generous support of United Way and the ADAMH Board, as well as contractual support from the school districts.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

If you are concerned about someone's well-being, watch for these signs:

  • Talking about suicide, death, or a preoccupation with dying
  • Trouble eating or sleeping (sleeping all the time, unable to sleep at all, not able to eat, or overeating)
  • Significant changes in behavior and/or personality
  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Loss of interest in activities, work, school, hobbies, or social interactions
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Previous suicide attempts
  • Increased drug and/or alcohol use
  • Statements about hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Taking unnecessary risks
  • Sudden happiness or calmness following a depressed mood
  • A preoccupation with items that could cause harm (guns, knives, hanging materials, pills, etc.)
  • Problems in school or work performance
  • Chronic pain or frequent complaints of physical symptoms
  • An inability to concentrate, trouble remembering things
  • Feeling strong anger or rage
  • Calling or visiting people to say goodbye
  • Feeling trapped – like there is no way out
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Suicide Prevention

Mental illness becomes a fatal illness when it leads to someone taking their own life. Suicide is now the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

  • Every 29 seconds, someone attempts suicide.
  • Every 13 minutes, someone dies from it.
  • That’s nearly 40,000 tragic deaths per year.

Suicide occurs in males and females of all ages, races, and religions. It occurs in all cultures and all countries—no one is immune. However, 75 percent of suicidal individuals show warning signs.

Take any warning sign seriously. 24/7 Crisis Information

Fairfield County 211
211 or (740) 687-0500

Crisis Text
 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
 1-800-273-8255

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