{"id":25663,"date":"2023-04-03T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T07:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=25663"},"modified":"2024-03-07T00:36:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T00:36:00","slug":"donations-suicide-prevention-behavioral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/donations-suicide-prevention-behavioral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Combating suicide with a donor-supported continuum of care","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Springtime is closely associated with longer days, sunnier skies and a burst of flowers. But the new season also signals something much darker: Suicide rates tend to rise in the spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mental health experts aren\u2019t entirely sure why this phenomenon occurs. However, it\u2019s a good time to learn how to help family, friends and community members navigate suicidal ideation or suicidal thoughts or ideas \u2014 especially for young people. Suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 14 and 25 to 34 in 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meet a champion for suicide prevention and intervention <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Portrait

Terri Card has held the role of chief operating officer, Outpatient Operations for the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network.<\/p><\/div>\n

Suicide prevention has long interested MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation<\/a> donor Terri Card.<\/p>\n

Card began her career with eight years of inpatient psychiatric work. She says she tried to intervene in ways that allowed teens and adults at Puget Sound Hospital to move forward with their lives as best as possible.<\/p>\n

She transitioned to outpatient work with the youth suicide prevention program at Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare<\/a>, doing outreach at schools, hospitals and homes. Later, she helped families who\u2019d lost a loved one to suicide.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best things about my job was that every day I had an opportunity to have a positive impact,\u201d Card shares.<\/p>\n

Suicide prevention advice and resources<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You may have heard that \u201cYou can\u2019t ask kids if they\u2019re thinking about suicide, because you\u2019ll give them the idea.\u201d Card\u2019s experience has shown her that simply isn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people don\u2019t want to die, whether it\u2019s a child, teen or an adult,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey want help. They want to feel better; they want to be in less pain. It\u2019s important people remember it\u2019s OK to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Help is available, and it works, Card wants to share with those grappling with suicidal ideation. By seeking someone to guide them through their emotions and tap into their strengths, another path is always possible.<\/p>\n

With the support of generous Foundation donors, the Behavioral Health Network is able to offer an entire continuum of care, which includes suicide prevention and intervention.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt most schools in Pierce County, a child or teen has access to a MultiCare Behavioral Health clinician,\u201d Card says. \u201cThroughout our network, outpatient services are available, as well as crisis services.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth Pierce County and King County have crisis lines, so people can reach out, talk about what they\u2019re experiencing and get the help and support they need in real time,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Pierce County Crisis Line:<\/strong> 800-576-7764<\/a>\u00a0or text HEAL to 741-741<\/p>\n

King County Crisis Line:<\/strong> 866-427-4747<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Inpatient treatment and services are also available:<\/p>\n