"QCI saved my life. I was having to pay a lot of of my money to see a doctor. I was told about QCI and filled out the paper work, not thinking I would hear back. QCI gave me a doctor, therapist, nurse, [and] community support. They really helped me when I was really sick and needed that. Now I am better and don’t need that [level of service]. I was helped to get Metro Access and now I can go get to my appointments on my own. I’ve been lucky to have met my therapist, Allison. She is really into the job. She helped me get my immigration card for free. We work together really well."  -- MS

Staff Picks to Read:

You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers
by Dr. Christine M. Crawford 

You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers provides a comprehensive, compassionate, and practical resource for anyone concerned about a child’s mental health. Drawing on her own clinical experience and guidance from leading experts, Dr. Crawford provides a lens through which to understand the many complex factors affecting children’s mental health. Analyzing young people from preschool to high school, she shares insights into how mental health conditions may manifest at different ages, what kind of interventions may be necessary, and what to do to help kids thrive. Throughout, the book channels the collective wisdom of the NAMI community. Parents, caregivers, and young people themselves share personal stories about their paths to recovery, ensuring readers know that they are not alone. 

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. Comments or thoughts about suicide, also known as suicidal ideation, can begin small — for example, “I wish I wasn’t here” or “Nothing matters.” But over time, they can become more explicit and dangerous. These can be frightening, but by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes.

Warning Signs

Here are a few other warning signs of suicide:

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess.

Risk Factors

Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition. Several other factors may put a person at risk of suicide, including but not limited to:

Support In A Crisis

When a suicide-related crisis occurs, friends and family are often caught off-guard, unprepared and unsure of what to do. The behaviors of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable, changing dramatically without warning. There are a few ways to approach a suicide-related crisis:

Like any other health emergency, it’s important to address a mental health crisis like suicide quickly and effectively. Unlike other health emergencies, mental health crises don’t have instructions or resources on how to help or what to expect (like the Heimlich Maneuver or CPR). That’s why NAMI created Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: A NAMI Resource Guide for Those Experiencing a Mental Health Emergency, so people experiencing mental health emergencies and their loved ones can have the answers and information they need when they need it.

If your friend or family member struggles with suicidal ideation day-to-day, let them know that they can talk with you about what they’re going through. Make sure that you adopt an open and compassionate mindset when they’re talking. Instead of “arguing” or trying to disprove any negative statements they make (“Your life isn’t that bad!”), try active listening techniques such as reflecting their feelings and summarizing their thoughts. This can help your loved one feel heard and validated.

Let them know that mental health professionals are trained to help people understand their feelings and improve mental wellness and resiliency. Psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, can help a person with thoughts of suicide recognize ineffective patterns of thinking and behavior, validate their feelings and learn positive coping skills. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom, just like any other — they can be treated, and they can improve over time.

Suicide is not the answer. There is hope.

QCI provides services for English speaking patients at this time. QCI will attempt to direct non-English speaking individuals to appropriate resources to the best of our ability.

NOTE: When using the email addresses below, your information is not encrypted. Your responses may be read by others using your Internet service. Please do not include any sensitive information. 

CARF International, a group of companies that includes CARF Canada and CARF Europe, is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Toll free (888) 281-6531. www.carf.org 

QCI is a proud partner with Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services, Inc. LARS empowers individuals in need of food, housing, and financial assistance ​to achieve well-being, stability, and self-sufficiency.