On average, a suicide completion happens every seven hours in the state of Arizona, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Nationally 44,965 suicides are recorded yearly.

Community Bridges Inc. has free trainings available for Gila County, such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Suicide Alertness for Everyone (SafeTALK), and Talk Saves Lives. The programs are funded by the Governor’s Office Parents Grant, which is exclusive to Gila County as part of its prevention and education for the community.

The Talk Saves Lives is a brief introduction to suicide prevention. It will help citizens learn the warning signs, risk factors and a how to help prevent it with proper help.

For many people the thought of helping someone who is dealing with suicide ideation can be unnerving. Not knowing the right way to handle the situation or the right thing to say can make the situation worse.

SafeTALK is a three-hour training for participants age 16 or older. This training will teach the participant to recognize those with thoughts of suicide, invite help to stay safe and connect them with intervention resources in the community.

It also teaches how to apply the talk steps: Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe. The training includes workbook, handout materials and certificate of completion.

The ASIST training is a two-day training for participants age 16 or older and prepares participants to identify and respond effectively to someone considering suicide. These participants will have an understanding and skills to apply suicide first aid.

Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves;

Feeling hopeless;

Having no reason to live;

Being a burden to others;

Feeling trapped; or,

Unbearable pain.

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs;

Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for materials or means;

Withdrawing from activities;

Isolating from family and friends;

Sleeping too much or too little;

Visiting or calling people to say goodbye;

Giving away prized possessions;

Aggression; or,

Fatigue.

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression;

Anxiety;

Loss of interest;

Irritability;

Humiliation;

Agitation; or,

Rage.

Resources for those who are dealing with someone showing signs of suicide

Crisis Response Network, INC, 602-222-9444 or 800-631-1314; Northern Arizona, 877-756-4090; Southern Arizona 866-495-6735;

Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255), or suicidepreventionlifeline.org;

Crisis Text Line 24/7/365. To get help, text “START” to 741-741;

Teen Lifeline, 602-428-TEEN (8336), 800-248-TEEN (8336), or teenlifeline.org;

Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8225), hotline: 855-RALLY4U (725-5948).

More information and statics can be found on American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website at afsp.org