7.24.20 – APFA EAP Hotline: You Are Not Alone. We Are Here for You

Friday, July 24, 2020

You Are Not Alone. We Are Here for You.

Sometimes we forget the power of simplicity. We get stricken with anxiety and hopelessness because everything just seems too impossible and big, but what we need is to go back to something simple. You may not be exactly where you want to be, but you are not where you used to be. And you can live this part of your journey as fully, exciting, and gratefully as possible. This is how we uncover freedom and joy, and that is how you grow. We can handle a lot more of the unknown than we think we can, though there may be times when you think you cannot handle anything at all. Often times many factors can combine to lead a person to the decision to take their own life. It is often an act made during a collision of strong emotions and life stresses rather than after careful consideration. While there are many factors that can influence a person’s decision to commit suicide, the most common is severe depression. Depression can make people feel great emotional pain and a great loss of hope, making them unable to see another way to relieve the pain other than ending their own life.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can offer to someone going through a hard time is your presence. Just providing a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on can be very comforting. Be patient and let them know you are there for them.

Author, Leo Buscaglia has a quote that resonates here as well:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Suicide touches every community. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline states that each person who dies by suicide leaves behind at least 135 people who knew and feels the loss of that person. We each can play an important part in helping prevent suicide by recognizing the risk factors and warning signs of someone at risk of attempting suicide and connecting them with support.

Risk factors and warning signs do not predict a suicide attempt, but they are important to be aware of.

If you or someone you know:

RISK FACTORS:

• Has a mood/anxiety disorder or Alcohol or substance use disorder
• Feels hopeless
• Experiences a loss of Job or finances
• Loss of an important relationship
• Feels isolated
• Access to lethal means

 

Warning signs can help determine if you or someone you know is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is related to a painful loss or event.

WARNING SIGNS:

• Talks about wanting to die or having no reason to live
• Says they feel trapped or are in unbearable pain
• Looking for ways to kill themselves

 

You are not alone. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, you can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255

Learn more about suicide prevention at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Please feel free to call:

• APFA EAP Department at (817) 540-0108 extension 8701
• AA/APFA Critical Incident Response Team (800) 998-8194

 

Both can be reached 24/7.

We also want to remind everyone that we are still offering ZOOM sessions for anyone in need. If interested please email us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Indicate your issue you would like to talk about as we like to group together those sharing similar issues.

In Solidarity,

Abby Alconcher
APFA EAP Specialist
[email protected]