BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Talking about suicide can be uncomfortable for many, but there is a need to do so due to the ongoing mental health challenges facing many in our society.
Tonight on WBEN, we will air Audacy's annual "I'm Listening" broadcast on suicide and suicide prevention. It's okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I'm Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories.
"There really are services available all the time, 24/7," Bob Cannata, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Community Crisis Services for Spectrum Health, told WBEN's Mike Baggerman. "Spectrum Health has these services available and there's other places you can call in the community.
Suicide and loneliness, feeling alone, go hand-in-hand. One of the biggest things for people is to fight that idea that I'm all alone. There's nowhere to turn. There's certainly places to turn any time of the day or night."
There is no single root cause that drives someone to the decision to take their own life. Cannata said every person who is going through suicidal feelings has different feelings that led them to this point. While asking for help, especially from a complete stranger, may be a daunting task, Cannata said it helps those dealing with suicidal thoughts. He said some who reach out to someone they don't know feel relieved that they finally have someone to talk to.
"The key thing for anybody -whether this is a family member, neighbor, relative, a friend, or trained crisis people- be calm, be honest, and listen to the person," Cannata said. "Really listen to what the person is saying."
The COVID pandemic has had a negative impact on the resources available for suicide prevention. Cannata said the feelings of loneliness have increased their referrals by upwards of 20%. But he also said the resources are still there, including Zoom calls and other intervention methods.
An important phrase to know is "Tell me more." Cannata said that by asking this question, it allows those who are dealing with suicidal thoughts to further explain their feelings and help.
Time matters when dealing with a person who is considering taking their own life. While some people gradually feel suicidal, Cannata said there is a roughly 15-20 minute window between the time someone makes the decision to take their own life and carrying out the act.
"Part of the intervention with the person is to see if the person can reduce access to the means," he explained. "As part of the Erie County Suicide Prevention Coalition, we offer a website you can go on even for safe firearms storage. Some people have guns and say 'This just isn't a good time for me to have access to my firearm'. There's places you can take the firearm for storage just in the immediate, when you're feeling like you're really close to carrying out a suicide act."
Cannata said to remember the acronym FACTS when examining the warning signs of suicide. It stands for Feelings, Actions, Changes, Threat, and Situations.
"At some point, there's a point where you have to initiate what's called active rescue," Cannata said. "If somebody says 'I don't want to do this and make any plan, I've made up my mind,' then a family member or friend can make the call for the person. That's where teams can be dispatched, even if the person is initially reluctant to meet with the team."
Western New York has many resources to help with suicide prevention. Those local resources include:
Erie County Crisis Services (716) 834-3131
Call 2-1-1
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Spectrum Health's 24/7 Help Line: (716) 710-5172
Spectrum Health's CARES Line (Under 18): (716) 882-4357 (HELP)
