Suicide Prevention Resources: Local and National Contacts

HOW CAN YOU HELP

ASK if they are suicidal and if they have a plan
Stay calm and LISTEN
Take threats seriously
DO NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE
Contact Member’s command
Don’t promise secrecy - TELL

GET HELP BY CALLING

For Emergencies, Call  911 or go to directly to the nearest Civilian Hospital ER

Other local agencies:

AFSP Alabama (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)        (205) 778-8284
Alabama Suicide Prevention and Resources Coalition (ASPARC)   (205) 677-6116
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama                        (334) 396-4797

Many factors contribute to suicide risk.  A combination of situations could lead someone to consider suicide.  Risk factors listed below may increase the possibility but they may not be the direct causes.

Risk Factors
 

Individual:

• Previous suicide attempt
• Mental illness, such as depression
• Social isolation
• Criminal problems
• Financial problems
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
• Job problems or loss
• Legal problems
• Serious illness
• Substance use disorder

Relationship:

• Adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse and neglect
• Bullying
• Family history of suicide
• Relationship problems such as a break-up, violence, or loss
• Sexual violence

Community:

• Barriers to health care
• Cultural and religious beliefs such as a belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal problem
• Suicide cluster in the community

Societal:

• Stigma associated with mental illness or help-seeking
• Easy access to lethal means among people at risk (e.g. firearms, medications)
• Unsafe media portrayals of suicide