Farmington Hills, Mich. — September 9, 2021— Judson Center, a multi-county human service agency providing autism programs, foster care and adoption in tandem with its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, employment services for persons with disabilities, integrated primary healthcare for all ages, and behavioral health services as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), is joining in the national observance of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which includes the international World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
Melissa Peters, MA, LPC, NCC, Judson Center’s Director of Behavioral Health Services, acknowledges that the many challenges the pandemic continues to present have taken a toll on mental health.
“Suicide awareness and prevention information are more important than ever, as people deal with the loss, disruptions, and unease that accompany the pandemic. Mental health needs to be given equal stature to physical health – and with persistent messaging, we are making strides,” Peters said. “While it can be difficult to seek help to counter suicidal thoughts – or to recommend to someone that they seek help – it’s always the right thing to do. And there are so many services available to assist. Suicide is never the answer,” Peters said.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 47,500 people died by suicide in 2019.
The Suicide Prevention Lifeline identifies the following warning signs that can help individuals identify suicidal thoughts in others or themselves:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
The National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 for people in the U.S. at 800-273-8255. Judson Center offers in-person behavioral health services at their locations in Royal Oak, Redford, and Warren, as well as virtual visits with no geographic barriers. For an appointment with a behavioral health specialist, please visit https://www.judsoncenter.org/behavioral-health/.
About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 97 years, is a non-profit human service agency that provides comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, developmental, behavioral, and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Judson Center also offers integrated primary healthcare for all through Judson Center Family Health in Warren and is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of over 12,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at https://www.judsoncenter.org/.
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