988 Is The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

Traveling along Moapa Valley Blvd, travellers may have noticed new banners that have been posted with images of a man or a woman advertising the suicide and crisis lifeline number 988.

The posters are to inform our community about the 988 number one can call to receive suicide prevention help.

Suicide has become an increasing problem in Moapa Valley, according to local Metro Police Sergeant Keegan Doty. “We estimated that there were about 60 attempts/threats of suicides for 2022 in our community,” Doty said. “This is an abnormal increase of suicide threats/attempts and completions during a very short period,”

The suicide prevention hotline, as advertised on the new banners are meant to give resources for those who might be having suicidal ideations. Calling or texting 988, or chatting at 988lifeline.org will provide 24/7, free and confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It is an easy 3-digit calling code for individuals in crisis to connect to counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

When calling the Lifeline, a caller will initially get an automated message featuring additional options while the call is being routed to a local Lifeline network crisis center.

Next, the caller will hear some music while being connected to a skilled, trained crisis worker.

Third, a trained crisis worker at the local call center will answer the phone.

Finally, the person will be there to listen, come to understand the callers circumstances, provide support, and get the caller help that they need.

Last year Lifeline answered nearly 2 million calls.

Some groups are at higher risk for suicide. These groups include veterans, tribal populations, middle-aged adults, LGBTQ youth, people with disabilities and workers in certain industries and occupations like mining, oil and gas extraction, and construction.

According to the suicide prevention hotline, outlying areas also have much higher rates of suicide than urban areas. Suicide rates increase as population density decreases and areas become more rural. The states with the highest suicide rates are Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, and Idaho.

What can area residents do to help in the prevention of suicide? They can identify and support people at risk for suicide. They can learn the warning signs, know how to ask the right questions, and learn how to respond to someone at risk. They can also help reduce access to lethal means among people at risk.

Some suicidal warning signs include when an individual talks about wanting to die, feels great guilt or shame or feels like he/she is a burden to others.

Some suicidal feelings can be a feeling of emptiness, hopelessness, being trapped, extreme sadness, anxiety, extremely angry, feeling agitated, or feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain.

Indiviuals at risk may exhibit changes in their behavior such as making a plan or researching ways to die, withdrawing from friends, giving away important items, making a will, taking dangerous risks, displaying mood swings, eating or sleeping more or less, or using drugs or alcohol. all of these may be signs of suicidal risk.

“Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick is aware of our valley’s situation and is striving to bring more mental health and other types of resources to our area,” said Sergeant Doty.

More information can be found at the website: 988lifeline.org.