Guthrie Promotes Suicide Prevention Month

One person dies every 11 minutes in this country as the result of suicide, according to the CDC. In 2020, 1.2 million adults attempted suicide, 11 million more thought about it. 

In observance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Guthrie wants individuals suffering from suicidal ideation, and their families to know there is hope and help available. Today, members of the Behavioral Health Team at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center came together virtually to discuss warning signs, and ways to act, if you or someone you love needs help.

Warning signs can include obvious, outward statements about wanting to harm themselves or more subtle changes in routine:

• Seem more depressed or withdrawn
• May start giving things away that were important to them
• Looking online for ways to harm themselves or already engaging in self-injury
• May be irritable which would be out of character
• May be drinking or using drugs more
• Eating too much or little 
• Sleeping too much or too little

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.