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Suicide Prevention Week Provides Awareness, Help

en.wikipedia.org

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, a week set aside to bring awareness about suicide and to help those facing a crisis. Suicide affects one in five American families.

Carrie Breitenfeldt of Antigo is a Wisconsin Chapter Board member for the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention. She also chairs an event held September 9 in Antigo called the "Out of Darkness" community walk.

Breitenfeldt says there are warning signs that a person might be thinking about taking their life..

. "....some of the things you can look for in a person is a person talking about killing themselves, feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, being a burden to others, feeling trapped, unbearable pain...."

She says anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all of the time are symptoms, along with withdrawl from friends, family or society, rage, seeking revenge, reckless behaviors or dramatic mood changes. She says the recent walk in Antigo was a success...

"...it went very well. We had 131 walkers...and we raised over $8,000..."

Attorney General Brad Schimel said law enforcement officers are far more likely to die of suicide than homicide. He says among the steps taken to prevent suicide is four hours of discussion on suicide prevention at the recruit academy.

Breitenfeldt says your local medical provider can direct you to mental health providers. There is also a toll-free number at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255).

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