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“A Touch of Kindness” is the nation's only
consumer-run organization dedicated to helping individuals battling with
suicidal behaviors. “A Touch of Kindness” is working with mental health
agencies, community health centers, doctors, and emergency physicians
who see many patients who have attempted suicide, and may continue to
make attempts until they get help or die. Many suicides might be
prevented if everyone learns to recognize the warning signs and know how
to access help, such as that offered by Another Life Foundation.
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Talking About Dying
- any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting oneself,
or other types of self harm.
Recent Loss - through
death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, loss of job,
money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss of religious
faith, loss of interest in friends, sex, hobbies, activities
previously enjoyed
Change in Personality
- sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive,
apathetic
Change in Behavior
- can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks
Change in Sleep Patterns
- insomnia, often with early waking or oversleeping, nightmares
Change in Eating Habits
- loss of appetite and weight, or overeating
Diminished Sexual Interest
- impotence, menstrual abnormalities (often missed periods)
Fear of losing control
- going crazy, harming self or others
Low self esteem
- feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred,
"everyone would be better off without me"
No hope for the future
- believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever
change
Other things to watch for- Suicidal
impulses, statements, plans; giving away favorite things;
previous suicide attempts, substance abuse, making out wills,
arranging for the care of pets, extravagant spending, agitation,
hyperactivity, restlessness or lethargy.
REMEMBER
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The risk of suicide may be greatest as the
depression lifts. |
If you or someone you know suffers from depression,
mental illness, or has ongoing thoughts of death or suicide, we urge you
to contact “A Touch of Kindness” at
1-
603-339-9036 or 1 719-924-2016. The Mentoring Program works to pair
clients and mentors with similar experiences. Mentors will offer their
experience and hope. They are simply there to share with clients
workable solutions to their problems, while remaining compassionate,
understanding and objective in a loving manner. We want to protect the
client, but we also want to protect the mentors. So we give them the
skills and support they need as well.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to promote wellness, empowerment, and support to save
lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by education, training, mentoring,
and linking people with a variety of resources.
Our Goal:
Our goal is to make people aware that there are organizations who want
to help, to make suicide prevention & awareness something that needs to
be discussed, not kept quiet, to reduce hospitalizations, the use of
emergency services, and to save lives. This is the main chapter of “A
Touch of Kindness”. We have several experienced mentors, but we are
always in need of many more. For more detailed information please call
us toll free:
1-
603-339-9036 OR 1-719-924-2016 |
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National Suicide Prevention Week
Sept. 6-12, 2009
Sep 06, 2009
This National Suicide Prevention Week, Lifeline announces: Veterans Chat
is now available 24/7; Volume One of the Lifeline’s video series,
Stories of Hope and Recovery: The Terry Wise Story; and the Lifeline
Gallery (www.lifelinegallery.org) celebrates its year anniversary, and
over 500 stories posted, with a new design. For more information:
Lifeline’s National Suicide Prevention Week press release. For
information on what you can do this week to help save lives: Spread the
Word. Also this week is World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th),
to see activities planned around the world visit www.iasp.info/wspd/.
Veterans Can Chat Live Through New Online Service
Aug 17, 2009
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Lifeline launched an online
chat service for veterans in emotional distress available at:
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans. Veterans are encouraged to
chat online anonymously with a counselor during the operating hours of
4:00pm -7:30am EST Daily. Friends and family members of a veteran in
crisis are also welcomed to use Veterans Chat.
Lifeline Network Now Has 140 Centers in 48 States
Jul 10, 2009
Lifeline’s national network now has 140 crisis centers in 48 states.
Calls to 1-800-273-TALK (8255) are routed to the closest available
center based on the caller’s location. Lifeline strives to connect
callers to network centers that can provide referrals to local services,
allowing the caller to access continuing care after a crisis. By
recruiting 140 crisis centers, the Lifeline’s Network Development
division has expanded the capacity of Lifeline’s network and improved
the quality of Lifeline’s service.
Introducing the New Lifeline Website
Jun 08, 2009
Lifeline launched a new design for www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The site was redesigned to deliver clear messaging to consumers in
crisis and to make the site easier to navigate. Check out brand new
content about how to get involved in suicide prevention and tips on
helping online friends in suicidal crisis.
Lifeline in New YouTube Abuse and Safety Center
Dec 12, 2009
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has partnered with YouTube to
offer suicide prevention resources to the YouTube online community.
Lifeline content on the new YouTube Abuse and Safety Center includes
information on what to do if someone on YouTube may be at risk of
suicide or if someone posts harmful messages about suicide on the site.
Also posted are the Lifeline number, a PSA and a link to the Lifeline
channel where one can find suicide warning signs.
Lifeline Network Answers Over 1 Million Calls!
Nov 17, 2009
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network of more than 140 crisis
centers has answered its one millionth call since the hotline was
launched on Jan. 1, 2005. "The Lifeline reached this significant
milestone because more people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis
are becoming aware that help is available just by picking up the
telephone and dialing 1-800-273-TALK," said the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration's acting administrator, Eric
Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H. To read the SAMHSA press release about this
milestone click here.
1-800-SUICIDE Announcement
Callers to 800-SUICIDE are now being helped through the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline's network of more than 140 crisis centers across the
nation, the same network that responds to 800-273-TALK callers in
crisis. For more information about how 800-SUICIDE callers are being
efficiently assisted through this network, read our FAQs Regarding
1-800-SUICIDE.
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