The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Local Advisory Council on Mental Health in Blaine County invited county students to participate in a coloring contest during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month (September). The council is made up of mental health professionals and others concerned with the mental well-being of local residents. For the last few years the coloring contest has helped raise awareness among students about suicide, a malaise that claims 40,000 lives in the U.S. each year.

The contest gave students an opportunity to use art to "celebrate each student's individual worth!" Per the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), September is a time to "reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services." Blaine County students in kindergarten through 3rd grade colored a prepared sheet and 4th through 12th graders could draw and submit a suicide prevention-themed drawing that the younger students will color next year. Entries were judged and places awarded for the younger kids.

Coloring contest winners were: Sasha Anderson, kindergarten, Meadowlark Elementary in Chinook; Savannah Heilig, 1st grade, Turner Elementary; Olivia Keller, 2nd grade, Turner and Abby Grabofsky, 3rd grade, also from Turner Elementary. The winner of the drawing contest was Wrien Wolery, a 4th grader from Turner. Her drawing will be the subject of the coloring contest next year. This year's drawing that was colored by the kindergarten-3rd graders was chosen last year and was created by Chinook High student Kourtney Hanson.

I was interested that Turner Elementary students won so many places in the coloring contest. Diana Maloney, a teacher at Turner Elementary, had two students who won in their respective grades. Maloney said, "I think this topic hits home with our kids. Because of the effects of suicide on our community, even the youngest students seem to have a heightened awareness of the issue." The Big Flat community has had a number of awareness activities after the loss of one of their own to suicide. One of the contest judges noted that even the younger children from Turner were aware of the purple and turquoise colors used in the national suicide awareness campaigns and used them in their own coloring renditions.

Identifying signs of risk for suicide and resources for persons in crisis

There are often recognizable signs that someone is at risk of suicide. While the signs differ by individuals, recognizing the behaviors could save a life. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has numerous publications about suicide prevention and signs for risk of suicide. Generally these signs have to do with noticeable changes in how a person is behaving and often includes fixating on or talking about death. You can find information about risk signs and resources for helping persons at risk by going to http://www.prc.mt.gov/suicideprevention.

To provide immediate help to a person suspected of contemplating suicide, take the suicidal person to the nearest emergency room, call the police or call the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Montana now has a 24/7 'crisis text line.' It's also a free service for people in crisis: Text MT to 741-741.

According to NAMI publications, suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. Per NAMI, "Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues." There are resources to help people at risk. If you know a person at risk for suicide, help them connect with a resource.