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Suicide awareness & Prevention

One hundred and forty one Kitsap County residents have taken their own life in the years 2001-2005. Suicide is a real problem in our community. There is no typical victim of suicide. Suicide happens in all races/ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, ages and genders. Many individuals and groups in our community work together to combat this problem everyday and look for ways to educate people about the warning signs of suicide.

Suicide is preventable!!!!!! By educating others, and ourselves, we can make a difference in preventing suicide.

For more information or if you would like to schedule a presentation please contact Barb Smithson , the health district’s Suicide Prevention Coordinator at 337-5250 or by e-mail smithb@health.co.kitsap.wa.us

Kitsap Suicide Prevention Week

May 7-12, 2007

Congratulations to Zach Whitchurch - Winner of the Kitsap Suicide Prevention Week Poster Contest


Zach Whitchurch (above, right) accepting his award from Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown

Congratulations to Central Kitsap Junior High School- Winner of the Kitsap Suicide Prevention Week Campaign Contest

CKJH went above and beyond for their Kitsap Suicide Prevention Week Campaign! During the week they wrote a story for their school newspaper, put up signs around the school advertising for the walk as well as suicide prevention messages, made daily announcements and had 22 participants (students and family) show up for the walk. Wow! Way to go CKJH! Congratulations on all your efforts to help raise awareness of suicide!


Students, family and friends that came to walk for suicide prevention awareness from Central Kitsap Junior High School.

During this week many prevention activities occurred simultaneously around the county including: educational presentations to various groups, Youth Suicide Prevention Program groups raising awareness in their school and the week culminated with a suicide prevention walk on Saturday, May 12th. The walk, held at the Waterfront Park in Silverdale, featured Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown as a guest speaker as well as local survivors sharing their stories. Nearly 100 community members showed up to raise awareness about suicide prevention and/or walk for those that have been lost to suicide.

For more information, contact the Kitsap Suicide Prevention Task Force
E-mail: kitsapsptf@comcast.net
Phone: (360) 337-5250




Warning Signs:

Rarely does a person die by suicide without giving clues to others. These are some warning signs to watch out for that may indicate someone is thinking about suicide:
  • Comments like:
    "I'd be better off dead," "I can't take it anymore," "Life isn't worth living," "I just want to end it all," "I just want the pain to stop."
  • A strong wish to die, having a preoccupation with death.
    Signs of depression such as moodiness, hopelessness or withdrawal.
  • Sleeping more or trouble sleeping.
  • Loss of a loved one, job, home, significant other, etc.
  • Anniversary of an event (death of a spouse, family member or close friend, divorce, prior suicide attempt, job loss etc.).
  • Giving away prized possessions or writing a will.
  • Sudden lift in spirits after a period of depression (it may be a signal that a decision has been made about how to suicide).
  • Suicide plan - the person has a plan of how they will kill themselves.
  • Family history of suicide or depression.
  • Increase drug and/or alcohol use.
  • Withdrawal from friends and family.
  • Doesn't seem to care about anything at all.

What you can do to help

If you feel so sad or depressed that you think about killing yourself, you should tell someone. Reach out to a family member or friend. If you are thinking of ending your life and don’t feel like there is anyone you can talk to who is close to you, you are not alone. There are many caring people who can help.

If a friend tells you she or he is thinking of committing suicide you may be put in a difficult position if you have been asked not to tell anyone. You can help your friend by

  1. Show you care – Often a suicidal person wants to end the pain and thinks that ending their life seems to be the only way out. Let the person know you really care and are concerned about them. Talk about your feelings and ask about his or hers. Listen carefully to what they have to say.
    “I’m concerned about you…about how you feel.”
    “Tell me about your pain.”
    “You mean a lot to me and I want to help.”
    “I don’t want you to kill yourself.”
  2. Ask the question – Don’t hesitate to raise the subject. Talking about suicide won’t put the idea in their heads. Chances are, if you’ve observed any of the warning signs, they’re already thinking about it. Listen and do not be judgmental. Be direct in a caring and non-confrontational way.
    “Are you thinking about suicide?
    “What thoughts or plans do you have?”
    “Are you thinking about harming yourself, ending your life?”
    “Have you thought about how you would do it?”
  3. Get help – Never keep talk of suicide a secret, even if they ask you to. It is better to risk the friendship than to risk their life. Do not try to handle the situation yourself. You can be the most help by referring your friend to someone with professional skills to provide the help that he or she needs, while you continue to offer support.
    “I know where we can get some help.”
    ”Let's talk to someone who can help...let's call the crisis line, now.”
    “I can go with you to get some help.”

If, in your judgment, the person should not be left alone, stay with them until you can get them to a professional for help. If they will not seek help – you take the initiative. Talk to family members, a trusted adult, counselors, clergy persons, Crisis Clinics, Mental Health Professionals.



For Immediate Help Call:

Crisis clinic of Kitsap County
(360) 479-3033 (local)
800-843-4793 (Toll Free if you are outside the local calling area)
1-800 SUICIDE (national crisis line)
1-800-273-TALK (national crisis line)
 
 
MORE information

 Crisis Clinic of Kitsap County
     (360) 479-3033 (local)
     800-273-8255 (Toll Free)