Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn., Pulse on Health column

Source: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.儲存Aug. 31--The Minnesota Department of Health plans to reassess its suicide-prevention efforts after analyzing 2011 data.State officials say the number of people who died by suicide in the state rose 13 percent, mostly due to deaths among middle-aged men and those up to age 59, mirroring a national trend.Psychiatrist Dr. Timothy Lineberry, psychiatric-hospital medical director at Mayo Clinic, said suicide is multi-faceted, complex and unique to each individual.Research has shown that economic issues can increase the rate of suicides, he said, which is why some suspect that the recession may have played a role in Minnesota's rates. But he cautions data is hard to interpret because Minnesota's numbers are low and it's hard to spot trends until larger, national numbers get included. Also, Lineberry said, veterans are at greater risk.ButMelissa Neinen, suicide prevention coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health, said the rate among Minnesota veterans remains unclear because it's not known how many veterans there are in the state.Lineberry said that's because some Minnesota veterans are attached to military units based in other states, some personnel come from other states and are based with Minnesota units, many are reservists and others are National Guard.Lineberry emphasized that about 90 percent of all persons who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness.Suicide is preventable and the underlying illness is treatable, he said. That's why its so important to seek help immediately.Although Minnesota's rate of 12.4 per 100,000 residents in 2011 "was the highest since the early 1990s," suicide still remains uncommon. Minnesota remains the state with the 10th-lowest rate of suicide in the country, Neinen said.From 2010 to 2011, suicides in Minnesota increased:-- from 10.2 to 13.8 per 100,000 residents older than 65.-- from 5 per 100,000 to 5.7 per 100,000 in residents 24 and younger.-- from 606 total individuals in 2010 to 684 total in 2011, out of more than 5 million Minnesota residents.The Department of Health noted mental illness, substance abuse, history of trauma and impulsive behavior can all contribute to a person's risk, as cana painful loss, social isolation, hopeless feelings, belief by the individual that he or she is a burden and avoiding or not asking for help.Neinen said suicide, rather than being a long-term, planned event, is often impulsive. There are "protective factors" that can help prevent suicide. Those, Neinen said, include feeling socially connected.Thus, she said, if you have a relationship with someone at risk of suicide, it can be helpful to call and then go out for dinner o新蒲崗迷你倉 a movie. If you are worried about yourself, she said, it's been shown that volunteering can help you feel socially connected. United Way 211 helps connect people to volunteer opportunities. Dial 2-1-1 from any Minnesota landline phone or 800-543-7709 on cellphones.Another activity shown by research to increase positive feelings is exercise.Exercise, going out for the evening or volunteering are not replacements for getting urgent help in the event someone is actively talking about a sense of worthlessness, suicidal thoughts or plans to die by suicide. If that happens, seek medical help immediately.Neinen emphasized that suicide is preventable, that there is hope and that help is available.People who think about suicide do not want to die but "they just want to remove the pain," she said. That's why seeking medical care can help, because health professionals can help find the right treatment.The Health Department indicates it plans to increase efforts to prevent suicide, particularly among high-risk groups, such as middle-aged adults."Everyone in Minnesota has a role to play in preventing suicides," said Dr. Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices for Education. "By knowing the warning signs and what to do if you are concerned about someone, you can save a life."The Health Department says warning signs include:1. Talking about wanting to die.2. Looking for a way to kill oneself.3. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose.4. Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.5. Talking about being a burden to others.6. Increasing the use of alcohol or other drugs.7. Acting anxious, agitated or reckless.8. Sleeping too little or too much, withdrawing or feeling isolated.9. Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.10. Displaying extreme mood swings.The more signs exhibited, the greater the risk.What can you do?-- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). After the message you will be connected with a trained call-taker. Veterans can connect with a veterans crisis line if they prefer.-- Do not leave the person alone.-- Remove firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.-- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.Health reporter Jeff Hansel writes the Pulse on Health column every Monday. Follow him on Twitter @JeffHansel.---- Dodge -- 5-- Fillmore -- 3-- Goodhue -- 8-- Houston -- 2-- Mower -- 8-- Olmsted -- 16-- Steele -- 5-- Wabasha -- 4-- Winona -- 4Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Post-Bulletin Visit the Post-Bulletin at .postbulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage