Full Notification

Gloucester Township Police Department recognizes National Suicide Prevention Week, September 8-14^th. 

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States.  In 2017  47,173 Americans died by suicide.

You may be asking yourself, what leads to suicide?
According to the American Foundation for suicide prevention, there’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.

Suicide Warning Signs
Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

If someone has attempted suicide:

• Don't leave the person alone.
• Call 911 right away.
• Try to find out if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or may have taken an overdose.
• Tell a family member or friend right away what's going on.

• Take the person seriously
• Stay with them
• Get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. The person may need to be hospitalized until the suicidal crisis has passed.
• Encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use that same number and press "1" to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.