In the last few weeks since my Part 2 publication on this topic, a Sun City resident, Ed McFarland, admonished me for not including NAMI’s Suicide Crisis Intervention Suggestions in my column. You see NAMI or the National Alliance on Mental Illness, our nation’s largest non-profit organization, is the final definitive source of info on preventing an unnecessary death for someone in the throes of mental illness.
While the large majority of people being treated for mental illness do not participate in suicide thoughts, nevertheless, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (as mentioned in Part 1 of this topic) is one particular agency that tells us “At least 90% of all people who commit suicide suffer from one or more (uncontrolled) mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or alcoholism.”
Though much of the below information is similar to what I have already printed on the subject, I feel it is justifiably “WORTH REPEATING.” Here then is NAMI – Northern Illinois’ website info on Psychiatric Crisis – Be Prepared/Help Plan.
First, the crisis situation occurs when a person is in danger of self-physical injury, talks about suicide, is out of control, and poses a threat to the safety of other people. NAMI’s advice to those family members or friends available at the time is to call 911 and “always request a crisis intervention trained team(CIT).” This team will consist of police officers trained for Mental Health Crisis.
Second, NAMI suggest that you “talk to your loved one and encourage them to seek mental health treatment immediately.” This help can come from a local mental health agency, a hospital, or a medical or psychiatric provider. Let your family member or friend know that you are there for them, and will help guide them through the process. They need to know that they will NOT BE ALONE in this time of need.
The following are NAMI’s tips on how to converse with your loved one during a psychiatric crisis: Speak gently in short easy-to understand sentences.
Do not threaten, criticize, or shout at the mentally ill person. Don’t block their exit or stand over them. Avoid staring at them and comply with reasonable requests the mentally ill person may have so that your loved one may still feel “somewhat in control.”
The National Institute of Health (NIH) Public Access Info on Alzheimer’s and Dementia information published on November 1st, 2012 tells us the following: “In the U.S. as in many other countries, adult men are in greater risk for suicidal action than other segments of the population.”
According to the article, adult men’s risk factors include major psychiatric illness (especially depression), being in poor health, and having impaired functional and cognitive capacity (this is seen more often at the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or in earlier dementia).
The NIH informs us that due to the aging of our country’s population, the number of suicides in the future is expected to increase among the elderly.
Available for voluntary psych treatment help, suggested by the NAMI web site, Rosecrance Mulberry Center, is located at 605 Mulberry Street (NW corner) in downtown Rockford. The first of its kind triage treatment center’s phone number is 815-720-4960. Triage refers to the practice of sorting out the most difficult cases for immediate service among a very large number of patients. If accompanying and aiding a person in an involuntary treatment process, please remember to bring the following info for treatment.
This documentation includes their diagnosis if known, their list of current medications, their insurance information, a list of their current physicians, a list of concerns you have about their current behavior, and your name, relationship, and phone number. Local mental health hospitals such as Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, 1650 Moon Lake Blvd., Hoffman Estates, 800-432-5005, and Northwest Community Hospital’s Mental Health Care Center, 800 West Central, Arlington Heights, 847-618-1000, provide hospitalization when needed and psychiatric evaluation (doctor and prescription referrals), as well as inpatient and outpatient day recovery programs.
One Sun City resident suggests that patients living in McHenry County use Pioneer Center’s Behavioral Health Services and Counseling located at 4100 Veterans Parkway, McHenry, 815-344-1230, and their location at 101 South Jefferson Street, Woodstock, 815-338-7360. Referring to her own personal experience with a family member, she summarizes “Pioneer saved all of us and took us step by step, holding our hands through the recovery! There are classes, doctors, job help, anything you can think of to take the client to his/her maximum potential.”
Please also note that there are several crisis hotlines available from the Department of Health and Human Services. Northern Illinois Crisis Intervention Hotline is 815-971-6350 and 800-950-6264 and www.crisistextline.org.
