Category: Suicide Prevention

Are you concerned about someone in your workplace who may be in a mental health crisis?

Recognizing signs that a coworker may be having suicidal thoughts is crucial for offering support and potentially saving a life. While it’s essential to remember that you are not a mental health professional, and any concerns should be taken seriously and reported to a supervisor, HR, or a mental health expert, here are some common signs that a coworker may be experiencing suicidal thoughts:

  1. Isolation and Withdrawal: They may become increasingly isolated, avoiding social interactions with colleagues and friends, and retreating from workplace activities.
  2. Mood Changes: Noticeable shifts in their mood, such as becoming consistently sad, hopeless, or anxious, can be an indication. They might also show signs of extreme anger or irritability.
  3. Expressing Hopelessness: They may talk openly about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live. Comments like “I can’t go on” or “Life is meaningless” should be taken seriously.
  4. Giving Away Possessions: If they start giving away their belongings or talking about getting rid of their assets, it can be a concerning sign.
  5. Sudden Improvement: Paradoxically, some individuals may display a sudden improvement in mood and demeanor after having made the decision to attempt suicide. This is often seen as a sign that they have made peace with their decision.
  6. Change in Work Performance: A decline in work performance, increased absenteeism, or a significant drop in productivity can be indicative of emotional distress.
  7. Neglecting Personal Appearance: Neglecting personal hygiene or a dramatic change in appearance can be an outward sign of emotional turmoil.
  8. Increased Alcohol or Drug Use: Escalating substance abuse, whether it’s alcohol or drugs, can be an attempt to cope with emotional pain.
  9. Making Farewell Statements: They may make statements or write letters that sound like goodbye notes, indicating a desire to end their life.
  10. Physical Symptoms: Persistent physical complaints like headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pain can be linked to emotional distress.
  11. Talking About Suicide: They may openly talk about suicide, expressing thoughts about how they would do it or when they would do it.

If you observe any of these signs in a coworker, it’s essential to take their distress seriously and act responsibly:

  1. Talk to Them: Express your concern in a non-judgmental and empathetic manner. Let them know you care and are there to listen.
  2. Encourage Professional Help: Suggest that they seek help from a mental health professional or their Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  3. Involve Supervisors or HR: Share your concerns with your supervisor, HR department, or your organization’s designated mental health resource. They can provide guidance on how to proceed.
  4. Connect Them with a Support System: Encourage them to reach out to friends and family for support. Offer to help them make these connections if they are willing.
  5. Do Not Leave Them Alone: If you believe the person is an immediate risk to themselves, do not leave them alone. Call emergency services or a crisis hotline (see below).

Remember that your primary role is to be supportive and encourage them to seek professional help. Do not attempt to handle the situation on your own, as suicidal thoughts require expert intervention. To access Crisis in Iowa and Grant Counties call 1-800-362-5717 24 hours a day.

People of all ages who need help for themselves or a loved one can access the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by:
Calling 988 (multiple languages),
sending a text message to 988 (English only), or using the chat feature at 988lifeline.org(link is external) (English only).
TTY users can either go through their preferred relay service or by calling 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Services are also available through chat and text.

  • Trevor Project LGBTQ+ crisis intervention
    • call 1-866-488-7386
    • or text 678-678
  • HOPELINE Text service
    • text HOPELINE to 741741
  • Veterans Crisis Line
    • Call 988 (press 1) or Text 838255
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in Wisconsin
    • Call or Text 988

Grant Regional Health Center Post for Fall Fitness

From the Grant Regional Health Center Website (link at bottom):

Sept. 29, 2023— As the seasons change, it can be easy to fall out of a fitness routine. Autumn can be especially busy, but you don’t have to let the change of seasons get you off your game. Instead, let it fuel you!

Here are six fun ways to get your fitness goals back on track this fall, with suggestions from the American Council on Exercise and the American Heart Association:

Take some nature time. Find a nearby nature trail for a walk or trail run. You can take in the changing colors of the leaves or savor other beauties of the season while you get in your workout.

Go for a family bike ride. Autumn’s cooler temps make bike rides that much more pleasant. Explore the area as a family while working up a sweat.

Up the nostalgia factor. Gather your friends together for a day of outdoor childhood games. Set up a horseshoe station. Play flag football. Or just run around like a kid again.

Change the scenery. Do circuit workouts whenever and wherever the mood strikes. You don’t need a gym. Body-weight exercises are just as effective in front of a TV or at the park. Bonus points if you can make your workouts Halloween-themed. Think “pirate” planks or “gargoyle” squats.

Get your training game going. With the holidays approaching, fall is the perfect time to start training for a turkey trot or other holiday fun run.

Tackle a fall fix-up. Spring isn’t the only time to give your home a good spruce. Put some extra oomph into yardwork or household chores this fall. They can build strength and stamina—and leave you feeling good about your home as you get ready to spend more time indoors.

It’s a common fitness myth that not all exercise counts, but activities like these really do add up!

Sources

https://www.grantregional.com/health-library/story/4701aae4-f8fb-4aaf-b8b7-2946426bcb84/

Thank You!!!

We are deeply grateful for JJ and Ashley Markus from Basic Bits and Beknown delivering donations of shirts, stocking caps, baseball caps, ponytail stocking caps, winter headbands, and hat and scarf sets that will keep our clients warm at no cost to them this winter! These full boxes represent opportunities for our amazing staff to meet essential needs in Iowa and Grant Counties. Thank you for making this possible. We’re grateful beyond words for your kindness and generosity.

#gratitude#grateful#thankyou#generosity#needs#donations#warm#winter

Want a healthier business?

With the recent loss of more than 10 million workers from the American workforce, it’s no wonder people are feeling overwhelmed at work!

The good news is that Unified Community Services can help.

Unified Community Services daily serves people with suicidal thoughts, addiction-related challenges, and varying degrees of mental illness. Reach out today to learn how you can empower the people who are your business, organization, or team to become more skilled at

-managing stress,

-navigating change,

-seizing the opportunity for growth in conflict,

-and developing personal wellness.

Our rates are affordable. We can’t wait to help you and your team thrive!

Reach out today at bbiddick@unifiedservices.org to learn more.

How important is support in recovery from addiction?

One essential component of recovery from addiction is support. Support can come in various forms and is crucial for people trying to overcome addiction. Here are some key aspects of support in addiction recovery:

  1. Emotional Support: This includes understanding, empathy, and encouragement from friends, family members, support groups, or therapists. Emotional support helps individuals cope with the emotional challenges and cravings that often accompany addiction recovery.
  2. Social Support: Building a supportive social network can be instrumental in recovery. Positive relationships with people who encourage sobriety and healthy living can help individuals stay on track.
  3. Professional Support: Treatment by trained professionals, such as therapists, counselors, or addiction specialists, is often necessary. They can provide evidence-based therapies and strategies to address the underlying causes of addiction and develop coping mechanisms.
  4. Peer Support Groups: Participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be extremely beneficial. These groups provide a sense of community, shared experiences, and a non-judgmental space to discuss challenges and successes in recovery.
  5. Medical Support: For some individuals, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be necessary to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals can prescribe and monitor these medications as part of a comprehensive recovery plan.
  6. Lifestyle Support: Learning to adopt a healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and healthy sleep patterns, all of which contribute to overall well-being and recovery.
  7. Relapse Prevention Strategies: Individuals in recovery need tools and strategies to prevent relapse. This may involve identifying triggers, developing coping skills, and creating a relapse prevention plan.
  8. Continued Care: Recovery is an ongoing process. After initial treatment, ongoing support and check-ins are vital to maintain sobriety and address any potential setbacks.
  9. Personal Motivation: Ultimately, the individual’s desire and commitment to change are essential. Without a personal commitment to recovery, it can be challenging to overcome addiction.

It’s important to note that addiction recovery is a highly individualized process, and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, a combination of these support components should be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual in recovery.

The Importance of Human Connection

Human connection is so important for wellness!

“Research shows us that loneliness is on the rise, and that a lack of human connection can be more harmful to your health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.”

Ways to connect per the article below:

  • “Join a new club, or try out a group activity
  • Reach out to an old friend you’ve lost touch with
  • Volunteer for a cause you care about
  • Eat lunch in a communal space
  • Introduce yourself to your neighbours
  • Ask someone for help when you need it
  • Do a random act of kindness”

Source: https://rb.gy/1q1a0

Event in Lancaster September 9, 2023 6pm

Join us for a luminary event in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Luminaries will be available at no cost, to customize as you wish with stickers, markers, a photograph, etc.

Everyone has mental health, and 1 in 5 adults will suffer from a mental illness in their lifetime. In 2022, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the US. We are all affected by this, either personally, or by having a friend or family member battling a mental illness. Let’s gather together to spread the message of hope.

All are welcome. Come as you can. Brief ceremony will be held at 7:00 pm.

https://www.grantregional.com/calendar/events/shine-the-light-lancaster-luminary-event/