The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responds to calls on a daily basis for service or encounter persons who may be despondent and are contemplating suicide.

These encounters happen often enough where the Crime Prevention Unit would like to offer some suicide prevention information from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Although a topic that is often unconformable to talk about, being aware of the warning signs and risk factors below could help you save someone’s life.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255, or  you can visit their website.

When calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), you will be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

People have called for help with substance abuse, economic worries, relationship and family problems, sexual orientation, illness, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and even loneliness.

After dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255), you will hear an announcement that you reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, followed by a pause while the call is being routed to a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.

Warning Signs  

• You hear someone developing a specific plan for suicide (the number one predictor of suicide risk).
• A person threatens to commit suicide, expresses suicidal feelings directly, or brings up the topic of suicide.
• A person shows signs of depression, i.e. loss of pleasure, sad mood, has alterations in sleep or eating patterns, has feelings of hopelessness, irritability, agitation, failure or shame.
• Giving away prized possessions, settling affairs, making out a will.
• Changes in behavior (poor work or school performance).
• Risky behaviors.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Social isolation.

Risk Factors

• A person having attempted suicide in the past.
• A person who has lost a loved one to suicide.
• A recent loss or threat of loss, for example: the death of a loved one or an idol/role model; divorce, separation, or a broken relationship; the loss of a job, a house, a business, money, or social status; loss of health to serious, progressive, or painful illness; diminished self-esteem or self-confidence.
• A person who expresses losing all hope in the future, “Things will never get better,” or “Life feels like an open sore that’s never going to heal.”

If you feel you are in a crisis, whether or not you are thinking about killing yourself, please call this Lifeline or Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.