Suicide calls in California have spiked during coronavirus crisis. Here’s how to find help
Telephone calls and texts to Wellspace Health’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis line from across California increased by 40 percent between February and March amid the coronavirus crisis, according to a news release.
WellSpace Health’s Sacramento offices answered 4,713 suicide and crisis calls from across the state in March, compared to 3,375 calls in February, the release said. Last year, the crisis line averaged 3,350 suicide prevention calls per month.
The calls originating in Sacramento increased at a similar rate, said Liseanne Wick, Wellspace’s director of suicide prevention programs. About 9 percent of the callers mentioned the coronavirus, Wick said.
Calls have come in from people affected by the virus in many different ways, including people who have lost their jobs, teens struggling with virtual classes, people struggling with not being able to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and homeless individuals, Wick said.
A call recently came in from a person who was having symptoms that could be from the virus and was afraid to go to the hospital because he or she was worried about dying alone there, Wick said. That call was flagged “an imminent risk call,” meaning the person was at high risk for dying of suicide, but after receiving help from staff, the person is still alive, Wick said
Calls with “suicide content,” those containing suicidal thoughts or an intent to act on that plan, were about 15 percent higher than typical for this time of year, Wick said.
“The fear of the unknown is a common theme,” Wick said. “A sneeze, a cough, a fever are things people would normally dismiss but now all of a sudden it’s serious. They’re assuming that minor symptoms are the virus and they’re afraid to go in and get tested and anxious about what’s going to happen.”
Jonathan Porteus, a licensed clinical psychologist who is WellSpace Health’s CEO, urged people to reach out to others in the community via phone, FaceTime or writing letters.
“As a community we need to supplement our social distancing practices with robust virtual connections,” Porteus said in a news release. “It can save lives.
People feel exceptionally helpless right now and those feelings are translating to thoughts of suicide and self-harm. Anxiety in the community is palpable. People are more isolated as they try to cope with pandemic fears, unemployment, financial stress, and increased substance use. Add more time around firearms, increased rates of domestic violence, and it creates a dangerous paradigm.”
If you are in crisis or feeling suicidal, you can reach a team of professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by texting the word HOPE to 916-668-iCAN (4226).
This story was originally published April 6, 2020 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Suicide calls in California have spiked during coronavirus crisis. Here’s how to find help."
