Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health wants to increase awareness about suicide during this week, National Suicide Prevention Week

National Suicide Prevention Week is this week. 

Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health (NEIBH) in Decorah offers a free support group the first Sunday of every month for families and friends who have lost someone to suicide. The group meets at 7:00 p.m. at the NEIBH office located at 905 Montgomery Street.

NEIBH will be hosting their 3rd annual Step Up Reach Out walk on Saturday to raise awareness about suicide on October 14th. The purpose of the event is to provide participants an opportunity to remember those who have been lost to suicide and offer encouragement to those who are struggling. Proceeds from the walk will go towards suicide prevention education throughout Northeast Iowa.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, NEIBH provides telephone crisis counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 563-382-3649 or toll-free at 800-400-8923.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention passes along this information about suicide: "There is no single cause to suicide. It most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition. Suicidal warning signs include a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors, especially if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change."

Warning signs may include a person talking about:

• Being a burden to others

• Feeling trapped

• Experiencing unbearable pain

• Having no reason to live

• Killing themselves

Specific things to look out for include:

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means

• Acting recklessly

• Withdrawing from activities

• Isolating from family and friends

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

• Giving away prized possessions

• Aggression

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

• Depression

• Loss of interest

• Rage

• Irritability

• Humiliation

• Anxiety