MetroFamily Magazine March April 2023

FAMILY MENTAL WELLNESS

Know the signs One in 10 Oklahoma students attempted suicide in the past 12 months, according to ODMHSAS. Know these important warning signs that suggest an individual is at risk for suicide: • Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves • Researching ways 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 being in unbearable pain • Talking about being a burden to others • Increased use of alcohol or drugs • Acting anxious or agitated or behaving recklessly • Sleeping too little or too much • Withdrawing or isolating themselves • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge • Extreme mood swings

If you are concerned someone you know or love is considering ending their life, call or text 988 and a local operator will guide you in how to safely help. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, call 911.

The 988 Mental Health Lifeline launched in Oklahoma in July 2022. When individuals with an Oklahoma-based area code call or text, they are connected with mental health professionals here in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma operators have fielded more than 22,000 calls since the lifeline went live six months ago, according to Solari Crisis and Human Services, the operator of the local 988 call center. January 2023 saw the largest number of calls in a month to date, with 3,466 calls received. A little more than a fourth of calls related to self-harm or suicide, 16 percent to coordination of care and 16 percent to depression. Metro parents can take extra comfort in knowing when they call they will be connected with local, trained behavioral health therapists experienced in helping children and youth. If families need more help than can be provided over the phone, a mobile crisis team, also experienced in working with children and youth, can be deployed to the home so trained professionals can help deescalate, stabilize and provide resources to support the situation and family. While 988 is new, Oklahoma’s statewide mobile crisis teams 988 in Oklahoma

available for children and youth through ODMHSAS have been providing critical services for the past five years. “Our model is a gold standard for other states in terms of mobilizing crisis teams for children and youth,” said Heath Holt Hayes, chief communications officer for ODMHSAS. “When parents don’t know what to do or how to cope, these treatment providers not only stabilize the situation in that moment, they also help set up longer term care.” Editor’s note: This article is the first in a 10-month series of articles and podcasts with ODMHSAS. Find the full series at metrofamilymagazine.com/mental-health. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline is designated as a three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Mental Health Lifeline operates 24/7 and offers services for mental health crisis calls. Operators are licensed and certified health crisis specialists who answer calls, connect to and dispatch local services and mobile crisis teams. For more information, visit 988Oklahoma.com.