Suicide prevention is everyone’s job

You can play a key part in keeping your community safe

 

Suicide can affect people from all walks of life — no matter their age, gender, income, or race. Knowing the warning signs and risk factors for suicide — and what you can do to help — could improve an individual’s mental health and even save a life.

 

Our role in preventing suicide

 

Suicide prevention isn’t just about crisis response. It starts earlier with suicide awareness and protective strategies for individuals, families, and our communities.

At home and work and in other groups, we can encourage informal and formal conversations about stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. We can help others learn emotional coping skills, promote psychological safety, and make it easier for people to get help.

At Carelon, we provide programs and tools to ensure access to crucial resources, suicide care, and protective environments.

Our Social Drivers of Health program connects people to:

• Housing, food, and transportation resources.
• Help applying for benefits.
• Continued support through resource navigators.

Our Suicide Prevention Program helps prevent crisis through:

•  Early outreach and risk detection through data and proactive care.
•  One-on-one support from case managers and peer specialists.
•  Partnerships with schools and workplaces to reduce stigma.

This comprehensive program ensures help is both available and responsive through:

•  24/7 crisis phone lines and mobile response teams.
•  Short-term stabilization centers as alternatives to ERs.
•  Quick access to licensed and culturally competent mental health care.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) include counseling services and educational resources to improve work-life balance and overall wellness. Also available are services to help employers develop policies that support mental health.

Community engagement and partnerships enable Carelon to provide mental health education and support, aiming to reduce stigma and promote mental wellness across various populations.

 

Know the suicide risk factors and warning signs

 

Suicidal thoughts can hide behind a smile or phrases like “I’m fine.” The risk increases when someone experiences:

• A prior suicide attempt.
• A serious health condition.
• Past trauma or prolonged stress or grief.
• Mental, physical, and emotional pain.

Common suicide warning signs include:

• Talking about dying or being a burden.
• Withdrawal, intense pain, and/or extreme mood swings.
• Reckless behavior or big sleep changes.
• Giving away possessions.
• Changes in work or school habits.

 

How to help someone who is suicidal

 

• Ask directly: “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
• Listen with empathy: Take them seriously. Let them know they’re not alone.
• Connect them to support: Encourage them to contact a therapist, their EAP, or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 
• Ensure their safety: Call 911 if there’s immediate danger. Limit access to means of self-harm.

 

Together, we can make a difference

 

Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of a single individual or organization — it is a shared commitment. Together, we can foster an environment where people feel safe seeking help, are aware of suicide risks and warning signs, and feel empowered to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or need someone to talk to, call or text 988 or use the online chat feature at 988lifeline.org.

 

 

Explore our case study and success stories to learn more about our Suicide Prevention Program.