The Utah Coalition for Suicide Prevention is bolstered by organizations on national and local levels. The Coalition functions effectively because of the grassroots work done at the community level. In this week’s edition of our blog series highlighting suicide prevention, we will be discussing the opportunities to help and find help in the communities where you live, work, and recreate.

SafeUT
One of the most devastating statistics surrounding suicide in Utah is the fact that the suicide and attempted suicide rate among people under the age of 18 is consistently higher than national average. According to estimates from the 2015 Utah Prevention Needs Assessment self-report data, an average classroom of 30 Utah students may have: five students who seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year, four who made a suicide plan in the last year, and two who attempted suicide in the last year. Clearly, there is a need for further suicide prevention work among the youth in our state.

SafeUT is one program offering solutions. This crisis chat and tip line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to students, parents and educators through live chat and a confidential tip program. The app is intended for k-college students, parents, and educators. Licensed clinicians respond to all incoming chats and calls 24/7. They provide supportive or crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and referral services.

SafeUT is a part of legislation proposed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Senator Thatcher, and Representative Steve Eliason in response to statistics that showed that suicide is the number one cause of death of Utah children between the ages of 10-17. The School Safety and Crisis Line legislation (SB 175) was passed in 2015 by the Utah State Legislature, which allowed the SafeUT app to roll out to Utah junior high, middle, and high schools in early 2016. Since 2016, the app has expanded to include college-aged students, parents, and educators as well. Learn more about the history of SafeUT and the Commission Members.

You can download the free and confidential app anytime. SafeUT answers crisis calls, and chats—about yourself or someone else—24/7. These free services, provided by University of Utah Health, are confidential. Counseling topics include:

  • Depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues;
  • Suicide prevention;
  • Loss and grief;
  • Bullying and cyberbullying;
  • Drug and alcohol problems;
  • Self-harm;
  • Relationship difficulties;
  • Any life challenge.

If an “active rescue” is necessary – meaning the SafeUT crisis counselor believes the user is in immediate danger – the counselor will alert emergency services to attempt a face-to-face safety evaluation based on the information provided by the user.

Davis County

The Davis County Health Department offers several resources to members of their community that may be struggling with suicide. Many of these resources are trainings that can help individuals or their loved ones in times of crisis. They include:

  • Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Training
    • This is a simple process that anyone can be trained to use to help prevent a suicidal act. Participants learn how to recognize the warning signs for someone who may be at risk for suicide, and then get them to appropriate help.
  • safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training
    • A three-hour workshop that trains participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and provides community first aid resources to connect others to help.
  • Mental Health First Aid
    • An eight-hour course that teaches participants how to help a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid
    • An eight-hour course that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teachers individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.

To learn more about suicide prevention opportunities and resources offered in Davis County, visit their website.

Salt Lake County
Like Davis County, Salt Lake County Health Department offers several trainings and resources, which are free and accessible to members of the public. They provide access to the Crisis Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) in order for residents to be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center near your home at any time.

Salt Lake County also offers access to free QPR trainings to residents. Residents can set up a training by calling 385-468-5308.

SLCoHD works with faith groups, worksites, schools, and other community groups to promote suicide prevention education, training, and resources.

Utah County

Utah County has a crisis line set up for people that may be contemplating suicide. Residents can call 801-691-LIFE(5433) at any time.

There are several local resources within Utah County that are also available for residents, including at both Brigham Young and Utah Valley universities.

Tooele County

Tooele County Heath Department also offers resources for their residents. You can find access to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and how to schedule local QPR trainings in order to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training.

UTA’s Work in Suicide Prevention

We care about you, and we want our work to reflect that. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and we are honoring this month with a blog series dedicated to the suicide prevention efforts that are underway across our state. Tune in next week for information about local groups that are working within our state towards suicide prevention.

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