SOUTHERN UTAH – It’s been a difficult few weeks for Utahns, with the news of multiple incidents of suicide and violence claiming lives across the state. Help is available for anyone in crisis or needing support.
“It is truly so sad and, with the right resources and support, so preventable,” said Elizabeth Sollis, public information officer for the Utah Department of Human Services.
When suicide or violence puts a life in danger, call 911 immediately.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or may be a victim of domestic violence, these lifelines offer help 24/7:
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Utah Domestic Violence LINKLine – 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
Additionally, Utah has crisis support lines available 24/7, for those who feel they need support or want to speak with someone about how traumatic incidents have impacted them.
- Washington County – 435-634-5600
- Iron/Kane/Beaver/Garfield counties – 1-800-574-6763
“It’s important for people to have and be aware of community resources,” Sollis said.
Additional information can be found in this St. George News report: Suicide prevention resources in Southern Utah; hope, help for those in need.
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What’s sad is this “article.” If you’re trying to reach people who are contemplating suicide, you should probably write something sincere, from the heart. Tell them they are loved, they are valued and would be deeply missed. Say they aren’t alone and many people think this is an option when the life they’re living isn’t what they thought it would be – but most won’t have the courage to carry it out. They need to know that there are many people just ready to be a shoulder to cry on, who will wrap their arms around them and help them through. Perhaps you should have another reporter (who has compassion) write an article that has meaning and not just telephone numbers.
Um, I don’t quite understand your criticism. Yes, everything you said above is important and should be said to an individual contemplating suicide but by someone who knows and cares for the individual. However, this is a news website. The purpose of any news publication is provide information. Period. Thats exactly what this article provides. I don’t think a person who is contemplating suicide is going to look for a pep talk from a newspaper article. Maybe, just maybe, someone struggling with the issues above will see this article and bookmark it so they can utilize the information. Or even better a loved one will pass this article on to someone they know who is struggling thereby opening up an avenue for discussion. A newspaper article does not need to provide therapy or ‘a shoulder to cry on’.
We need a hotline for victims of religious indoctrination also. There’s a reason why Utah has the nations highest ration of antidepressant use.
Nicely said and profoundly true. Now if you can get their heads out of the sand…