1. FSA – Keeping You Safe
SeptemberisSuicidePreventionMonth.Accordingto the National Alliance onMental Illness,suicideisthe thirdleading
cause of death amongyoungpeople.Anoverwhelmingmajorityof suicidevictimshave orhave hada formof mental
illnesspriortocommittingsuicide.Of those inflicted,manyare furtherhinderedbythe threat of mountinghealthcare
costs andlegislative challengestothe securityof Medicaidcoverage. Inlightof these soberingfacts,careful attention
and basichumanempathycan trulybe safeguardsagainsttragedy.
The FloridaSheriff’sAssociationwouldliketoencourage all membersandthe publictobe active andon the lookoutfor
signsof suicidal tendenciesamongstourlocal communities.Whetheritbe a co-worker,lovedone or, evenastranger,
compassionforotherscan make a great deal of difference,especiallytolivesbesetbymental illness.Here are some
thingsto lookoutfor:
 Signsof isolation,withdrawal
 Changesto appetite,weight
 Tiredness,fatiguefornoapparentreason
 Radical changesto sleepinghabits
 Increaseduse of drugs,alcohol
 Aggression,recklessendangerment
 Consistententertainmentof suicidal thoughts,planning
If you’re sufferingfromsuicidal thoughts,pleasecall the National SuicideHotline:
1-800-273 TALK (8255)
For moreinfo on Suicide Prevention Tips,visit the American Foundation forSuicidePrevention’swebsite:
https://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/
For help finding mentalhealthcareproviders,pleasevisit Mental Health America of NortheastFlorida’swebsite:
http://mhajax.org/
For moreinfo on mentalhealth,visit the NationalAlliance on MentalIllness website: http://www.nami.org/

2. For more tips, please visit the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Crime Prevention Tips