Preventing Suicide

Caregiving The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal, a book by Beth Witrogen McLeod, tells the story of Jo, a caregiver who was so pushed beyond her limit by years of caregiving for a mother with dementia and hearing loss that one night she contemplated homicide and decided instead that suicide was the only way out of an unbearable situation. Yet as she was taking action to commit suicide, she had the presence of mind to call the police and a hot line. She credited the hotline counselor, who talked with her and referred her to services, with saving her. Jo's story is found in Chapter 8 of this comforting book. Publishing information is included in the Caregiver Books and Videos section.

Risk factors. Persons sixty-five and older, especially those who are widowed or divorced, and persons who experience loss, illness, and depression are at greater risk for suicide. Heavy-duty caregivers may have some of these risk factors, and care receivers may be at risk, also.

Pinellas County has the fourth highest number of suicides in Florida. This is such a serious problem that the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. is involved in community education to help raise awareness about suicide. The Area Agency on Agings web site provides information about the danger of suicide and about resources to help prevent suicide. See Suicide and Seniors, www.agingcarefl.org/aging/suicide.

Hopefully, you will never suffer from depression and despair to the point that you contemplate suicide. Community services, support groups, spiritual support, and treatment for depression have helped many caregivers make it through the roughest times.

If you do find yourself thinking about suicide, here are some valuable resources:

• The Geriatric Crisis Response Team of Gulf Coast Community Care provides free in-home crisis intervention, care management, and other services to help persons 40 and older at risk of suicide or psychiatric hospitalization to avoid suicide or hospitalization. Call 1-800-380-4303.

• When you must talk with someone at once because it is the middle of the night, your care receiver is waking you frequently, and you are beyond your limit of frustration, dial 211 in Pinellas County, Florida. This is 211 Tampa Bay, a 24-hour crisis and information line for people of all ages sponsored by the 211 Tampa Bay Cares organization. The person who answers the 211 line is trained in crisis counseling and will refer you to community services. For information in several languages and a searchable online database, visit the 211 web site, www.211tampabay.info.

• Call 911 immediately if you feel you may act on an impulse to commit suicide. This is the emergency number for police, fire, and rescue. While they are on their way to your home, someone will continue to talk with you and to reassure you that services can be found to provide relief.

Even if your situation seems desperate, you have more choices than you might think. There are community services and businesses that help caregivers and seniors, Internet resources, information and counseling lines, and faith-based volunteers. When you ask for help, someone will point you in the right direction. Just make that telephone call.