Mental Health Awareness Month

Suicide is one of those subjects where everyone has known at least someone that has attempted, and nationally suicide is one of the leading causes of death. Wyoming is a beautiful place to live and call home, but it is also one of the most impacted states to be affected by suicide.

In 2024 there were 168 deaths from suicide in Wyoming or roughly 27.8 deaths per 100,000 people. Compared to 20 years ago this is a 58.9% increase and when compared to the national average Wyoming is 34.4 points higher than the national increase over that same time. The lives that were lost are not just statistics from a government website, they are our loved ones, family, friends, and neighbors. Suicide impacts us all and makes devastating ripples throughout communities. Of suicide deaths in Wyoming men account for 88%, with the age being 80 years or older and firearms make up 72% of the methods used in suicide deaths.

We can all do our part in supporting those who are having suicidal ideation. Warning signs to watch for include: VERBAL or WRITTEN CLUES such as talking about wanting to die or feeling as though they are a burden, making comments that ​“everyone would be better off without me” or ​“I just want it to stop”; BEHAVIORAL changes like isolating from friends or family and activities they used to enjoy, increasing the use of substances, increase or decrease in sleep, researching lethal means and self-destructive behavior; EMOTIONAL SIGNS namely expressing hopelessness, having no reason to live or feeling trapped, intense mood swings, heightened anxiety, agitation or rage.

Disclaimer that not everyone will show these signs and some are good at hiding their pain. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. If there is concern, I encourage you to directly ask someone about whether they are having thoughts of suicide. There is a myth that by asking it will make it worse, however the reality is that it can provide relief and open the door for the person to seek help.

The National Institutes of Health has a guide for 5 steps to help someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The first step is ASK and the second step is to BE THERE while listening without judgment and validating the persons feelings. Research has revealed that by talking about and acknowledging suicide you can reduce suicidal ideation. Third step is KEEP THEM SAFE by reducing access to lethal means which includes but is not limited to medications and firearms. The fourth step is to HELP THEM CONNECT by providing national resources such as the 988-life line number as well as local resources. Lastly, the fifth step is to FOLLOW UP and keep connected with the person after they have been connected to resources. Continuing to show supportive contact can be extremely important in suicide prevention.

References

National Institute of Health: Suicide Statistics 

Warning Signs of Suicide 

5 action steps to help someone having thoughts of suicide
 

Mental Health Resource for Wyoming Residents

Wyoming Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Wyoming Department of Health: Behavioral Health

AFSP Wyoming Chapter
 

Support Resources for Ivinson Employees

Nivati is program that offers a wide variety of educational, counseling and mental health services. This program is free to use by Ivinson staff with 100% confidentiality. Click this link to visit https://​www​.nivati​.com/ and set up your account! Already have an account? Try out the wellbeing check-in feature to understand and reflect on changes over time.