Important Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Reminder! The ADE Project AWARE webpage features upcoming training opportunities as well as available online trainings, all of which meet the legislative requirements of ARS 15-120 (The Mitch Warnock Act). To learn more and register for available trainings, visit /wellness/projectaware.  

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month. How safe is your home? Research shows that access to a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide by 300 percent. According to colleagues at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, taking a home inventory is important because: 

• Many suicide attempts take place during a short-term crisis, so it is important to consider a person's access to lethal means during these periods of increased risk. 
• Access to lethal means is a risk factor for suicide. 
• Reducing access to lethal means saves lives. 

"Means reduction" refers to reducing a person's access to lethal methods. The Harvard University Means Matter campaign reports: 

• Many suicide attempts occur with little planning during a short-term crisis. 
• Intent isn't all that determines whether an attempter lives or dies; means also matter.
• 90 percent of attempters who survive do NOT go on to die by suicide later. 
• Access to firearms is a risk factor for suicide. 
• Firearms used in youth suicide usually belong to a parent. 
• Reducing access to lethal means saves lives. 

Read more from Harvard School of Public Health on what families and individuals can do to reduce means. You play an important role in helping reduce the rate of suicide in Arizona. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; in Arizona, some 1400 individuals die by suicide annually. But you can help. We have more resources than ever to offer community members to help everyone prevent suicides.

1. Get trained. The Arizona Department of Education offers in person and online suicide prevention trainings, including offerings in Spanish. 
2. Talk to someone. Resilient Arizona offers free crisis counseling to anyone in Arizona. Call 2-11 or visit: www.resilientarizona.org.
3. Visit the AHCCCS website for resources by priority population and county.
4. Sign up for monthly emails for updates on training, events, grants, and more. 
5. Invite our staff to tell you more. We have a team available to present (via Zoom) on suicide prevention. There is no cost involved. 
6. When in doubt, call the crisis line for next steps on how to help someone who may be suicidal. 

• 988 - mental health crisis line.
• Maricopa County, served by Mercy Care: 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444.
• Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties, served by Arizona Complete Health - Complete Care Plan: 1-866-495-6735
• Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai Counties served by Health Choice Arizona: 1-877-756-4090.
• Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities: 1-800-259-3449
• Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432.

Some 1,400 Arizonans die by suicide annually; it is the eighth leading cause of death in the state. And yet, we can all play a role in helping to decrease this number in our communities. Remember to WAIT:

W: Watch for signs of distress and uncharacteristic behavior, including an increase in substance use, sleep pattern changes, discussing death or suicide

A: Ask, “Are you thinking of dying by suicide?”

I: It will pass. Reassure the person you’re speaking to that suicidal thoughts are treatable, and you will walk alongside them to get care.

T: Talk to others. Call the crisis line for immediate guidance on next steps.

• 988
• Maricopa County served by Mercy Care:
  1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444
• Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma Counties served by Arizona Complete Health - Complete Care Plan:
  1-866-495-6735
• Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai Counties served by Health Choice Arizona:
  1-877-756-4090
• Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities:
  1-800-259-3449
• Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community:
  1-855-331-6432

For more crisis resources, see the AHCCCS Crisis web page.