Disclaimer - Information is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services and does not serve as a crisis response or hotline. Local crisis hotline phone, text and chat numbers can be found in the front of your local phone book, on our partial lists of emergency numbers or by calling 911. Any medical decisions should be made in conjunction with your physician or psychiatrist. We will not be liable for any complications, injuries or other medical accidents arising from or in connection with, the use of or reliance upon any information on this web site.

Articles about the original campaign - What is it?
Have you ever seen a semicolon tattoo or button?
Where to get a free semicolon button and/or card with the new crisis text line number in Curry County, OR and Del Norte Courty, CA

Where to purchase quantities of the Semicolon Button

Why keep a semicolon business card in your wallet?
Be a Courageous Oregonian
Secrets No More - We would like you to check this out and participate if you will.
What leads to suicide?
Suicide Risk Factors
Warning Signs
What Should I Do if Someone I Know Shows Warning Signs of Suicide?
How to Help Someone Else..
Where Can I Get Help for Suicide and Depression?
What to do with what you hear.

Be ready - are you in a good headspace? Are you willing to genuinely listen? Can you give as much time as needed?
Be Prepared: Do you understand that a diffiult conversatoin might happen and you won't have the answers? Do you understand that talking about persoal struggles can be difficult and they might get embarrassed , even angry?
Pick your moment: Have you chosen somewhere relatively private and comfy? nWhat time will be good for them to chat? If they can't talk when you approach them, ask them for a better time to come back.

Getting help
Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices (62 page PDF)
After a Suicide: A toolkit for schools (49 page PDF)
Songs about Suicide and Suicide Prevention
T-shirt transfers, Tattoos (78 categories)
Related topics: Contagion, Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Teen Suicide, Struggling Teen, Veterans

Have you seen anyone with a semicolon tattoo or button or window decal? If not, you may not be looking close enough. They're popping up everywhere. The semicolon is used when the person could've chosen to end their life, but chose not to. Today, people all over the world are tattooing the mark as a reminder of their struggle, victory, and survival.

Mental illness is not uncommon, yet there is a stigma around it that prevents a lot of people from talking about it — and that's a barrier to getting help. It's a symbol to reduce the stigma around mental illness for those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. It represents the importance of suicide prevention.

No matter how we get there, the end result is so important to help more people to also be able to say "; I'm still here." "; my story isn't over."

The symbol is a conversation starter celebrating the road to recovery and the determination to keep moving forward no matter what. People ask what it is and you get to open up an opportunity to help someone else who might be struggling.

If you have ever seriously considered suicide and are willing to talk to someone who might be needing help, ink your hand during September, Suicide Prevention Month or wear a button or put a decal on your car window. Let’s stop the self harming, the suicides and the bullying

Need to talk now? Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the National Hopeline/Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text 741741 for a Crisis Text Counselor or see our list of other lifelines.

What leads to suicide?

Warning Signs

The strongest and most disturbing signs are verbal – ‘I can’t go on,’ ‘Nothing matters any more’ or even ‘I’m thinking of ending it all.’ Such remarks should always be taken seriously. Of course, in most cases these situations do not lead to suicide. But, generally, the more signs a person displays, the higher the risk of suicide.

Situations

• Suffering a major loss or life change
• Family history of suicide or violence
• Sexual or physical abuse
• Death of a close friend or family member
• Divorce or separation, ending a relationship
• Failing academic performance, impending exams, exam results
• Job loss, problems at work
• Impending legal action
• Recent imprisonment or upcoming release

Behaviors

• Showing a marked change in behavior, attitudes or appearance
• Crying
• Fighting
• Behaving recklessly
• Breaking the law
• Impulsiveness
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Self-mutilation
• Writing about death and suicide
• Previous suicidal behavior
• Extremes of behavior
• Changes in behavior
• Getting affairs in order and giving away valued possessions

Physical Changes

• Lack of energy
• Disturbed sleep patterns – sleeping too much or too little
• Loss of appetite
• Becoming depressed or withdrawn
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Increase in minor illnesses
• Change of sexual interest
• Sudden change in appearance
• Lack of interest in appearance

Thoughts and Emotions

• Thoughts of suicide
• Loneliness – lack of support from family and friends
• Rejection, feeling marginalized
• Deep sadness or guilt
• Unable to see beyond a narrow focus
• Daydreaming
• Anxiety and stress
• Helplessness
• Loss of self-worth
  

Suicide Risk Factors

Health Factors

• Mental health conditions
  • Depression
  • Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Borderline or antisocial personality disorder
  • Conduct disorder
  • Psychotic disorders, or psychotic symptoms in the context of any disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
• Substance abuse disorders
• Serious or chronic health condition and/or pain

Environmental Factors

• Stressful life events which may include a death, divorce, or job loss
• Prolonged stress factors which may include harassment, bullying, relationship problems, and unemployment
• Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
• Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide

Historical Factors

• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide attempts
  

What Should I Do if Someone I Know Shows Warning Signs of Suicide?

If someone you know appears to be depressed and talks about suicide, makes a suicidal gesture, or attempts suicide, take it as a serious emergency. Listen to the person, but don't try to argue with him or her. Seek immediate help from a health care profession

People who experience a major depressive episode are often suicidal. It is a key symptom of the disease. Some studies show that the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a central role in the neurobiology of suicide. Researchers have found lower levels of serotonin in the brainstem and cerebrospinal fluid of suicidal individuals.

In addition, suicidal behavior sometimes runs in families. Remember, any talk of suicide is always an emergency. Have the person talk with a health care professional immediately.

Where Can I Get Help for Suicide and Depression?

If your loved one appears to be in imminent danger of committing suicide, do not leave him or her alone. Remove any weapons or drugs he or she could use. Accompany him or her to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

During treatment, be supportive. Help the person remember to take antidepressants or other prescribed medications and to continue any other therapy that's been prescribed.
Source: www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-recognizing-signs-of-suicide?page=2#1

How to Help Someone Else

Listening – really listening – is not easy. We must control the urge to say something – to make a comment, add to a story or offer advice. We need to listen not just to the facts that the person is telling us but to the feelings that lie behind them. We need to understand things from their perspective, not ours.

Here are some points to remember if you are helping a person who feels suicidal.

• They want someone to listen. Someone who will take time to really listen to them. Someone who won’t judge, or give advice or opinions, but will give their undivided attention.
• They want someone to trust. Someone who will respect them and won’t try to take charge. Someone who will treat everything in complete confidence.
• They want someone to care. Someone who will make themselves available, put the person at ease and speak calmly. Someone who will reassure, accept and believe. Someone who will say, ‘I care.’

What do people who feel suicidal not want?

• They don't want to be alone. Rejection can make the problem seem ten times worse. Having someone to turn to makes all the difference. Listen.
•  
• They don't want to be advised. Lectures don’t help. Nor does a suggestion to ‘cheer up’, or an easy assurance that ‘everything will be okay.’ Don’t analyze, compare, categorize or criticize. Listen.
• They don't want to be interrogated. Don’t change the subject, don’t pity or patronize. Talking about feelings is difficult. People who feel suicidal don’t want to be rushed or put on the defensive. Listen.

So, if you are concerned that someone you know may be thinking of suicide, you can help. Remember, as a helper, do not promise to do anything you do not want to do or that you cannot do.

First of all...

If the person is actively suicidal, get help immediately. Call your local crisis service or the police, or take the person to the emergency room of your local hospital. Do not leave the person alone.

If the person has attempted suicide and needs medical attention, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number.

The following are suggestions for helping someone who is suicidal:

Ask the person - "Are you thinking of suicide?" Ask them if they have a plan and if they have the means. Asking someone if they are suicidal will not make them suicidal. Most likely they will be relieved that you have asked. Experts believe that most people are ambivalent about their wish to die.

Listen actively to what the person is saying to you. Remain calm and do not judge what you are being told. Do not advise the person not to feel the way they are.

Reassure the person that there is help for their problems and reassure them that they are not "bad" or "stupid" because they are thinking about suicide.

Help the person break down their problem(s) into more manageable pieces. It is easier to deal with one problem at a time.

Emphasize that there are ways other than suicide to solve problems. Help the person to explore these options, for example, ask them what else they could do to change their situation.

Offer to investigate counselling services.

Do not agree to keep the person's suicidal thoughts or plans a secret. Helping someone who is suicidal can be very stressful. Get help - ask family members and friends for their assistance and to share the responsibility.

Suggest that the person see a doctor for a complete physical. Although there are many things that family and friends can do to help, there may be underlying medical problems that require professional intervention. Your doctor can also refer patients to a psychiatrist, if necessary.

Try to get the person to see a trained counselor. Do not be surprised if the person refuses to go to a counselor - but be persistent. There are many types of caregivers for the suicidal. If the person will not go to a psychologist, or a psychiatrist, suggest, for example, they talk to a clergyperson, a guidance counselor or a teacher.
 

Pickup a semicolon card that talks about suicide prevention and gives a 24/7 Helpline phone number and a 24/7 crisis text line number. Keep one in your wallet to give to someone who might be going through depression or a tough time with a job, alcohol, physical health, financial, or an intimate partner. Take a semicolon button and wear it to let people know you're willing to listen. It's also a great conversation starter about what it means. When a person dies by suicide, they put a period at the end of their life. When they survive or refrain from a suicide attempt, they put a semicolon with the intention of continuing to live on. Let's end the stigma around suicide by being willing to talk openly about our experience and to listen to theirs without judgment. Pickup a free card and button at any of these locations. Contact gordonclay@aol.com for additional supplies or to add your company location to this list.

Gold Beach, OR (36)

Get a business card for your wallet explaining the program with a crisis phone line and crisis text line listed. Some locations have our 1 1/4" round semicolon button, too. Do you own a business which would like to participate in this campaign? Send an email request to gordonclay@aol.com

Check back often because we hope to list additional locations with a supply of these free items.

Why keep a semicolon business card in your wallet?

90% of men who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health issue at the time of death

If you know a man who is going through one of the following issues, be sure to give him one of these cards, let him know you are available to talk confidentially, and insure that he knows that most people who call a crisis line aren't suicidal. They just need someone to talk through what's going on for them. If he is a good friend ask him to commit to you that he won't do anything rash until he gets aold of you and you can talk it through. (Bill Withers song, Lean on Me.)