Who We Are
The Stuart B. Eiken Foundation - “STU22crew” - was created to promote awareness for the prevention of teenage suicide and to assist teens with the overall health of their bodies, minds, and hearts.
September is Suicide Prevention Month: #BeThere to Help Prevent Suicide
Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities.
A CDC study showed that a range of factors contribute to suicide among those with and without known mental health conditions. Everyone can help prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs and where to get help.
The Facts About Suicide
Suicide is a public health problem because of its far-reaching effects:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It was responsible for over 48,000 deaths in 2021.
- In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan for suicide, and 1.7 million attempted suicide.
- People who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence are at higher risk for suicide.
- In 2021, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 25-34 years.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. You can #BeThere and #BeThe1To to help a friend, loved one, or coworker. Everyone can learn the warning signs and how to get help.
What to Watch For
Individual, relationship, community, and societal factors may influence the risk of suicide. Know the suicide warning signs including:
- Feeling like a burden
- Being isolated
- Increased anxiety
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased substance use
- Looking for a way to access lethal means
- Increased anger or rage
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Talking or posting about wanting to die
- Making plans for suicide
How to Get Help
Safeguard the people in your life from the risk of suicide and support them:
- Ask.
- Keep them safe.
- Be there.
- Help them connect. You can start with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org).
- Follow up.
Find out how these actions can save a life by visiting www.BeThe1To.com.
Everyone can play a part in preventing suicide!
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
What is 988?
988 is a three-digit number that offers 24/7 and statewide access to crisis services via call, text, or chat. Trained crisis specialists are available and can help individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, and/or mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. While 988 is available nationally, it is up to each state to ensure crisis services are adequately funded and available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Missouri’s 988 Task Force continues to develop plans for 988 and the Missouri Crisis Care Continuum.
How does 988 work?
When someone calls, chats, or texts 988, they can expect to be connected to a trained crisis specialist who is ready to listen and help. Because a crisis is defined by the person or family experiencing it, the crisis specialist will engage with the person to understand and address the person’s unique concerns and needs. The call is free and confidential, you decide how much information to share. Support doesn’t have to end with that conversation. Our crisis specialists can connect you with resources for follow up. If a higher level of care is needed at the time of contact, the crisis specialist will work with the caller and other supports to connect them to a mobile crisis response team to respond to the person in the community.
When should you call 988?
If you are thinking about suicide, are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or are worried about a friend or loved one, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support by calling or texting 988, or chatting at 988lifeline.org/chat
NAMI Online support group
NAMI Columbia, MO now offers an online support group. See information below for joining.
NAMI Columbia MO
Family Support Group Meeting
Monthly – 2nd Mondays @ 7:30 – 8:45 pm
To join, email NAMIColumbiaMO@gmail.com