The Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board (CCCMHB) is responsible and accountable for the planning, funding and monitoring of public mental health services delivered to the residents of Cuyahoga County. The primary focus is to provide a "safety net" of care for the needs of adults with severe mental disabilities, as well as children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances.

Cuyahoga County residents who require an immediate helping hand with a mental health emergency for adults and children, or have questions about mental health services, may call (216) 623-6888, the CCCMHB’s 24-Hour Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Crisis, Information and Referral Line. The CCCMHB contracts with Mental Health Services, Inc., to provide this service to the community.

The CCCMHB does not provide direct services. It contracts with over 35 provider agencies to deliver mental health and supportive services to the residents of Cuyahoga County. A complete list of providers and other mental health information is available on cccmhb.org, or www.networkofcare.com

Suicide Risk Factors:

• Past history of attempted suicide
• Psychiatric disorders like depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, personality disorders
• Family history of suicide, depression or other psychiatric disorder
• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
• Hopelessness, feeling useless
• Some major physical illnesses
• History of trauma or abuse
• Stigma associated with seeking help and barriers to mental health and substance abuse care
• Males are three to five times more likely to die by suicide than females
• Elderly Caucasian males have the highest suicide rates

Suicide Crisis Warnings:

• A recent particularly depressing event, such as loss of a loved one, job or financial loss
• Depression, anguish, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, sense of abandonment or isolation
• Changes in behavior
• Statements indicating thoughts of suicide like, "My family would be better off without me."
• Talking or acting as if saying goodbye.
• Actions ranging from buying a gun to putting one's affairs in order or disposing of belongings
• History of trauma or abuse
• Deteriorating functioning at work or socially, increasing use of alcohol, other self-destructive behavior

While some suicides occur without any outward warning, most do not. Take all threats of suicide seriously and never leave a suicidal person alone. The most effective way to prevent suicide among loved ones is to learn how to recognize the signs of someone at risk, take those signs seriously and know how to respond to them. The emotional crises that usually precede suicide are most often recognizable and treatable.

Where Can I Learn More?

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the CCCMHB's 24-Hour Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Crisis, Information and Referral Line at (216) 623-6888.

National Institute for Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
www.sprc.org

Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide
www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm