Suicide Preventative Actions

• Encourage people in need to see their primary care doctor for an assessment
• Volunteer to assist with and undergo suicide prevention training in community settings
• Support efforts to ensure that children receive training in coping and communication skills at school.
• Support policy in schools to educate public school employees about youth suicide and prevention.
• Encourage behaviors that strengthen and form relationships.
• Learn how to recognize the signs of depression, suicide, and alcohol/drug abuse.
• Share information with clergy, parents, and others who are the first line of defense in responding to the needs of someone in crisis.
• Help create awareness about the national hotline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Share messages that help de-stigmatize depression, suicide, and mental illness so the public views them as an illness, not something to be ashamed of.

Suicide Facts

• Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.
• Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.
• In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.
• Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
• Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.
• For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
• Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
• 80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.
• There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
• The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old.
• Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.
• The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)
• Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
• It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)
• An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)
• There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)
• There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)
• According to data, 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).
• Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

Area Resources

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Avera St. Lukes Hospital Inpatient Mental Health-Aberdeen

605-622-5552

Avera McKennan Behavioral Health Needs Assessment Line-Sioux Falls

605-322-4065

Dacotah  Pride Center-Agency Village

605-698-3917

On call worker 605-742-3114

Human Service Agency-Sisseton

605-698-7688

Emergency-1-800-444-3989

Law Enforcement Agencies

SWO Tribal Police - 698-7661

Robert’s County Sheriff’s Office - 698-7667

Sisseton City Police - 698-3931

Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Healthcare Center-Mental Health Department-Sisseton

              605-742-3731