Don't avoid talking about a difficult subject

Other issues have come to the forefront in this year's presidential race, but gun control is never far from the surface.

The Black Lives Matter group focuses attention on officer-involved shootings, while the other side points out that the majority of African Americans who die from gunshot wounds are killed by other blacks.

Both arguments avoid acknowledging the most common cause of gun deaths -- 60 percent of them are from self-inflicted wounds.

Many hesitate to talk about suicide, fearful they will inadvertently put thoughts in the mind of a depressed person.

"The truth is, the idea is already there," said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Heath for Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services. "Let the person know you care. Ask the question 'are you thinking of suicide?' Ask how, where, when and if they have the means in place to complete suicide. And persuade them to seek help."

The DHHS and others are actively addressing the issue during September's National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 41,000 people die yearly of suicide, making it the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the second leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 24. According to state data, an average of 100 Nebraskans complete suicide each year.

DHHS wants Nebraskans to know they can make a difference by knowing what to look for, the questions to ask and resources to help.

Warning signs for suicide in any age group include:

* Threats or comments about killing themselves, also known as suicidal ideation

* Increased alcohol and drug use

* Aggressive behavior

* Social withdrawal from friends, family and the community

* Dramatic mood swings

* Talking, writing or thinking about death

* Impulsive or reckless behavior

* Any person exhibiting these behaviors should get care immediately:

* Putting their affairs in order and giving away their possessions

* Saying goodbye to friends and family

* Mood shifts from despair to calm

* Planning, possibly by looking around to buy, steal or borrow the methods they need to complete suicide, such as a firearm or prescription

The agency is working with other stakeholders such as the University of Nebraska and other educational groups to decrease the number of incidences through reducing stigma, increasing the number of Nebraskans who know warning signs and increasing local and regional collaborations to promote healthy behavior and early prevention.

LOSS teams, -- Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors -- have been established in six Nebraska counties but help is available everywhere in the state.

For referrals, individuals and families and friends of those with suicidal thoughts can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255.)