Feb 28, 2017
Those experiencing thoughts of suicide can get help from:
- The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK
(8255).
In Washtenaw County, Michigan:
- Ozone House, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.
- University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services 24-hour
hotline, at 734-936-5900.
The Washtenaw County Community Mental Health crisis team, at
734-544-3050.
“Suicide Prevention and Addiction” was presented on January 31, 2017, by Raymond Dalton, MA, CAADC; Coordinator, Dawn Farm Outpatient Services. The prevalence of suicide attempts and suicide completion among people with alcohol/other drug addiction is significantly higher than in the general population, and the period of early recovery from addiction is especially high risk. Family, friends and professionals are often strategically positioned to recognize potential suicidal thinking and intervene to help. Learning about the signs of suicidal thinking and how to intervene when a person may be contemplating suicide can reduce the barriers to suicidal individuals obtaining help and potentially prevent suicide deaths. This program will raise awareness of the prevalence of suicide among people with addiction, describe signs of suicidal thinking, and discuss effective ways to offer support and help to people who may be contemplating suicide.
About the presenter: Ray Dalton is the Coordinator for Dawn Farm Outpatient Programs, including Dawn Farm’s Youth and Family Services, Community Corrections and Outpatient Treatment programs. Ray began his work with Dawn Farm as a detox counselor and later worked with Dawn Farm as an Outpatient Therapist and Community Corrections Outreach Program Coordinator. Prior to working for Dawn Farm Ray recruited, trained and supervised volunteer counselors to answer the suicide prevention hotline for the state of Kansas. He received his master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Mary and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.
This presentation is part of the Dawn Farm Education Series, a free, annual education series developed to provide accurate, helpful, hopeful, practical, current information about chemical dependency, recovery, family and related issues. The Education Series is organized by Dawn Farm, a non-profit community of programs providing a continuum of chemical dependency services. For information, please see http://www.dawnfarm.org/programs/education-series.