September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the City of Naperville is partnering with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health to help prevent suicide in our area.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s why Naperville has awarded Linden Oaks a social services grant for a community-based education program on suicide awareness.
“One of the things we know in suicide awareness and prevention is having strong values and protective factors really help keep people safe, and in Naperville one of our most, I think, favorable protective factors is the community that we live within,” said Kelly Bryant, director of clinical excellence at Linden Oaks.
Linden Oaks staff will be working with the Collaborative Youth Team to train 10 people as facilitators who will go out into the community and train people to recognize the signs of suicide.
Some of those signs of suicide include isolation, excessive sleep, irritability and not eating.
“I think people think you’re going to see them all at once, but sometimes they’re extremely gradual for somebody who’s suffering from depression,” said Victoria Freier, manager at Linden Oaks.
Dates for training sessions have not yet been scheduled, but staff members say keep an eye out for signs around town that will alert you when they begin.
If you or someone you know is at risk call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Naperville News 17’s Beth Bria reports.
