GOTHENBURG, NEBRASKA – September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Gothenburg Health’s Senior Life Solutions (SLS) program is working to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Gothenburg Health’s Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy and teletherapy program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults living with symptoms of age-related depression or anxiety, dealing with difficult life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one.  

Cassie Hilbers, Gothenburg Health’s SLS Program Director, commented, “Suicide ranks as the tenth leading cause of death in the US and tragically ranked as the ninth leading cause in Nebraska with 271 deaths reported in 2017.  The SLS team is here to make everyone more aware of Suicide Awareness and more importantly-Suicide Prevention. We’ve placed 271 pinwheels in the lawn outside of the YMCA entrance to honor those lives lost in Nebraska.  While SLS is geared primarily to the senior population, we work to raise awareness of mental health for all age populations.  Our goal is to engage and educate our community on the importance of emotional well-being each and every day—at any age.”

According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide and they are important to be aware of.

Several risk factors may include:

• A preexisting mental disorder
• Alcohol or substance use disorder
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• Major physical illness
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Access to lethal means
• Lack of social support and sense of isolation

Hilbers added, “The stigma associated with asking for help and a lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment can also pose as risk factors to an individual.  We work to lessen the stigma and increase access to behavioral healthcare.”

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline also states that knowing these warning signs may help determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Referrals to the program can be made by anyone, including a patient’s physician, family member, self-referral, or another healthcare professional. For more information, call the Gothenburg Health Senior Life Solutions program at (308) 537-1030.

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ABOUT SENIOR LIFE SOLUTIONS

Founded in 2003, Senior Life Solutions is managed by Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC), a leading behavioral healthcare management company.  Focused on addressing the needs of rural and underserved communities, PMC manages inpatient behavioral health units, intensive outpatient programs, and telehealth services in more than 25 states. The company's services provide evaluation and treatment for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems.  For more information, visit www.seniorlifesolutions.com

ABOUT GOTHENBURG HEALTH

Gothenburg Health is a premier healthcare facility serving the community of Gothenburg and surrounding areas with state of the art facilities and highly skilled employees. We are a place of help and healing, and a place of education, prevention, and wellness. Since 1969, our passion for caring has come with a dedication to growing and investing in services and capabilities for your best care. We strive to be your continued Partners in healthier living. Gothenburg Health – Well Ahead.