Suicide awareness and prevention – Know the warning signs and where to get help
Suicide is a growing public health concern, touching lives at home, in the workplace, and in our communities. On average, one person dies every 11 minutes1 by suicide. As tragic and complex as suicide is, it’s important to know that it’s often preventable. The more we know about this leading cause of death, the more we can help someone who may be at risk.
Suicide warning signs
Talk. If a person talks about:
- Killing themselves
- Feeling hopeless
- Having no reason to live
- Being a burden to others
- Feeling trapped
- Unbearable pain
Behavior. 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 life, such as searching online for methods
- 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
- Fatigue
Mood. People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest
- Irritability
- Humiliation/Shame
- Agitation/Anger
- Relief/Sudden Improvement
Where to get immediate help
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Anyone can call, text, or chat 988 to connect 24/7 to a trained counselor will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
24/7 Behavioral Health Support. In a unique role exclusive to Blue KC health plans, members have access to Mindful Advocates, licensed behavioral health clinicians who can help with in-the-moment support and connect you to the right care and services, including an expedited access network for those in crisis. A Blue KC Mindful Advocate is available 24/7 at 833-302-MIND (6463).
Additional resources and education
- We Need to Talk About Suicide flyer
- The Blue KC Behavioral Health page includes a suicide awareness quiz and information on who to call for help.
- The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ people under 25.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
