Suicide prevention in corrections is a shared responsibility. Feeling more on edge, more tired, or less like yourself over time does not mean you are broken. It means the load is heavy. What matters now is taking steps to deal with it safely and not waiting until a crisis.
If you recognize warning signs in yourself there are concrete steps you can take. These steps are evidence-backed from researchers at the Suicide Prevention Research Center, Desert Waters Correctional Outreach, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Step One: Notice and name what is going on
Pay attention to patterns, not just bad days. It’s normal to have days when you feel emotionally down. What matters is the pattern over time. If you feel down for days at a time and can’t find the motivation to do activities you usually enjoy, please get in touch with the Optum Employee Assistance Program by calling 1‑800‑886‑9747, or see your healthcare provider.
Ask yourself:
- “Have I been more irritable, numb, or hopeless than usual?”
- “Am I drinking or using more to get through the week?”
- “Have I thought that people would be better off without me, or that I don’t care if I wake up?”
Simply putting this into words (“I’m not okay right now”) is a powerful first step.
Step Two: Talk to at least one trusted person
Pick someone you trust: a partner, friend, coworker, peer supporter, chaplain, or supervisor.
Be as direct as you can:
- “I’m not doing well. I’ve been thinking some dark thoughts.”
- “I don’t want to scare you, but I need to tell someone I’ve had thoughts of not wanting to be here.”
You do not need to have all the answers. You only need to let someone in.
Step Three: Use the resources that are there for you
The Optum EAP is a free service for all full-time state employees and those in their household and can be a beneficial tool to improve your overall well-being. You have 8 free face-to-face EAP counseling visits with a licensed therapist available per issue, per year. These tools and resources are available 24/7 and are completely confidential.
988 is the nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can call or text 988 any time to reach trained counselors for confidential emotional support if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, feeling overwhelmed, or in crisis.
Step Four: Make a simple safety plan
Everyone deserves support and a clear path through the rough spots. A simple safety plan builds on your own strengths and resources. You can put one together, with a clinician or a trusted person, and it can include:
- Signs that help you notice early when your stress is starting to climb.
- Coping steps you know can help you ride out a tough wave (walk, music, breathing, stepping away from the unit for a few minutes if possible, calling someone).
- People and places that help you feel steadier and more connected.
- Professionals and services you can reach out to for extra backup (EAP, clinician, 988, local mental health services).