This article originally appeared on a Spotlight page in North Country This Week

Suicide is a significant public health issue, according to the St. Lawrence County Suicide Awareness Coalition.

The risk for suicidal behavior is complex. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk for suicide but some groups are at higher risk than others.

Men are about four times more likely than women to die from suicide. However, women are more likely to express suicidal thoughts and to make nonfatal attempts than men.

In the past, suicide was addressed by providing mental health services to people who were already experiencing or showing signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior.

While such services are critical, preventing suicide requires approaches that go beyond mental health issues to address broader family, community, and societal issues.

Warning signs

There are sometimes warning signs of suicide. The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk.

Warning signs associated with suicide, but that may not be what causes a suicide, include:

• Talking about wanting to die

• Looking for way to kill oneself

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing  the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious, agitated, or recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Displaying extreme mood swings

How to help

You have the power to help.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone

• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988

• Take the person to an emergency room, or seek help from a medical or mental health professional

Local resources

Locally, there are many resources in the community, including the 24-hour crisis hot line,  Reachout – 315-265-2422.

Here are other resources:

Outpatient Mental Health Services Services

• St. Lawrence County Mental Health, Canton, (315) 386-2167

• St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, Ogdensburg Massena and Gouverneur, (315) 541-2001

• Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg (315) 393 - 3600

• Catholic Charities, Ogdensburg (315) 393 - 2660

• United Helpers, Canton and Ogdensburg, (315) 393-3074

• St. Lawrence Health Systems, Potsdam (315) 261-5405, and Gouvenreur, (315) 261- 5407 Gouverneur

• Citizen Advocates, Massena, (315) 764-8076

Inpatient Mental Health Services

• St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, Ogdensburg, adults and children, (315) 541-2001

• Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg, adults (315) 393-3600

Vocational Services

• The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence, Vocational Services, (315) 379 - 9531

 Peer Support

Services/Psychosocial Clubs

• Step by Step, Inc. (315) 394 - 0597

• Northern Regional Center For Independent Living (315) 785-8703

• Catholic Charities (315) 393-3133

Residential Services

• North Country Transitional Living Services (315) 782 - 1777

• United Helpers (315) 393-3074

• St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center (315) 541-2001

Children’s Respite Services

• North Country Transitional Living Services (315) 782 - 1777

• St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center (315) 541-2001

 Outpatient Services

• St. Lawrence County Addiction Services (315) 386-2189, Canton - Opioid Treatment Program, Gouverneur, Ogdensburg, Massena

• Citizen Advocates, Massena (315) 764-0876; Ogdensburg (315) 713-9090

• St. Lawrence Health, Gouverneur (315) 261-6333; Massena (315) 353-2572

• St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers (315) 705-6564

Inpatient Services

• St. Lawrence Health, Potsdam, (315) 261-5405

• St. Joseph’s Rose Hill, Massena, (800) 776-7344

Detoxification Treatment

• St. Lawrence Health, Massena (315) 842-3076; Gouverneur (315) 261-5969