Lutheran Family Services Shines Light on Prevention and Intervention

OMAHA, Neb. (August 28, 2017) – Suicide takes a life every 13 minutes and is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is fighting every day to save lives and help individuals suffering from mental health disorders or suicidal thoughts.

Individuals with suicidal thoughts often suffer from a mental illness that can disrupt their ability to cope with situations in their everyday lives. Mental illnesses can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors and do not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, gender and income. Suicide rates saw a 40-year high in 2015, with many vulnerable populations hardest hit including young women, rural communities and our nation’s veterans – every day, we lose 20 honored Americans who have served our country. But these trends can be reversed. Mental illness is treatable, but often, individuals do not know where to seek help or fear reaching out due to social stigmas.

According to Lindsay Kroll, the LFS Crisis Response Program’s Clinical Supervisor, people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts are not alone and should not be afraid to seek help or tell someone.

“This is not a secret they have to keep, and they should not worry about being judged. There are so many people in our community who are willing to listen and provide support and help,” Kroll said. “It is ok to have these thoughts, and it is what we do about them that makes all the difference. There are other options to relieve the pain and suffering they are experiencing, but sometimes it is just harder for them to see those options on their own.”

Whether a person has an alcohol abuse problem or is suffering from a traumatic event from their childhood, LFS therapists can provide them with specialized counseling, mental health therapy, peer engagement or other tailored services. LFS provides a 24-hour mobile crisis response program to provide intervention and resources to those who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

“LFS providers work hard to establish individualized safety plans for each individual to assist them in their time of need,” Kroll said. “We assist them in exploring what could be motivating their suicidal thoughts and how to better address those underlying concerns. We want to support the individual to develop additional coping mechanisms that could help alleviate that emotional pain that could be the driving force for suicidal ideation.”

According to Kroll, learning the following warning signs of suicide could help save someone’s life:

• Withdrawing from loved ones and activities.
• Changes in sleep patterns or eating habits.
• Drug or alcohol abuse.
• Having mood swings.
• Feelings of hopelessness or unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Family history of suicide, mental disorder or substance abuse.
• Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse.
• Engaging in risky or reckless behavior.
• Talking or writing about wanting to die.
• Saying goodbye or giving away possessions.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves.

Talking to a loved one about their feelings and behaviors may reduce their risk of acting on suicidal thoughts. If you feel a loved one is in immediate danger, seek emergency help by calling 911, contact a mental health professional, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. LFS helps those suffering from mental illnesses and suicidal thoughts by providing confidential, individualized counseling services, regardless of the ability to pay. For more information about Lutheran Family Services programs, please visit LFSNeb.org or call 402.292.9105.

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About Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc.

Established in 1892, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is a faith-based, not-for-profit, multi-service human care agency with locations across Nebraska and an in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The LFS mission is “to express God’s love for all people by providing quality human care services that build and strengthen individual, family and community life.”

LFS demonstrates its mission through three broad service areas:

• Behavioral Health, including outpatient mental health services and therapy, substance use treatment, sexual abuse/incest treatment, 24/7 mobile crisis response, peer support, At Ease support for active military, veterans and their loved ones, Health 360 Integrated Care in Lincoln and specialized counseling for children, adolescents, adults and families;
• Children Services, providing parenting support and prevention/early intervention programs; RSafe^® treatment for children and families impacted by sexual abuse; infant, international and foster care adoption services and searches; Right Turn^® post adoption services; foster care; pregnancy counseling; maternal health care and family support services; youth diversion services; and
• Community Services, providing refugee resettlement services, immigration legal services, interpretation services, case management, and education and employment services for new populations.

2017 marks the 125th anniversary of LFS’ founding as two orphanages in Fremont and Omaha, Nebraska.

LFS is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), receiving an Integrity Award in 2013. LFS is a Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Guidelines and Principles Best Practices Partner; a recipient of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Greater Omaha Business Excellence Award in 2014 and 2015, and the 2016 recipient of the Omaha Bar Association Public Service Award.

To learn more visit. www.LFSneb.org.