Avera Will Again Launch ‘Ask the Question’ to Prevent Suicide

During September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, Avera will launch its Ask the Question public service campaign for the third consecutive year.

This campaign is built around the research-based premise that being direct can save lives. Asking someone who is struggling a direct question, “are you thinking about suicide?” in a caring way can open a meaningful conversation that leads to the person at risk to get help.

“This year’s campaign is a prevention effort for all ages, but we’re specifically focusing on teens with messages to schools and social media channels,” said Thomas Otten, Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health Services. “Teens can be impulsive based on emotions. With the partnership of caring adults in their lives, including parents, teachers and mentors, we want to help them understand that life has meaning and purpose beyond the pain of the moment they’re experiencing. While all suicide is tragic, the loss of a young life is especially devastating.”

From a record high of 203 suicides per year in 2021, suicides in South Dakota have fallen for two years in a row – to 192 in 2022 and 180 in 2023. This is due to many factors, prevention efforts being one of them.

Avera will observe World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 and share awareness messages in media outlets, social media, emails, billboards, posters and more throughout the month of September and again during the holiday season, which is often difficult for people facing behavioral health conditions including depression and anxiety. Generous donations to the Avera Foundation fully fund Avera’s award-winning Ask the Question campaign, which was started in 2022.

As part of this awareness month. Avera is presenting sponsor of the 437 Project, a relay-style running event that begins at South Dakota’s border with Wyoming and continues for 437 miles to the Minnesota state line. The event, set for Sept. 19-22, is designed to raise awareness and support the Helpline Center, the only accredited suicide crisis center in the state of South Dakota. It serves thousands of people each year by organizing local agency volunteers, and offering hope to individuals with thoughts of suicide.

Two of this year’s 12 runners in the 437 project are Avera providers, including Jonathan Buchanan, MD, sports medicine specialist with Avera Orthopedics, and Jessica Rumpca, CNP, certified nurse practitioner with Avera Medical Group in Pierre.

“It’s too easy to dodge the issue,” said Buchanan. “That’s why asking the question in a direct way is so important. A behavioral health condition like depression, along with suicidal thoughts, is an illness. It’s not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. We want to raise awareness that anyone can have these important conversations that may save a life.”

Rumpca said in her family medicine practice in Pierre, she sees people nearly every day who are struggling with depression. “I hope people become more aware of the resources available like the Helpline Center and 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” Rumpca said. “There are people out there who struggle with these issues who have never brought it up, so no one has ever talked to them about it. They feel fear and shame, but they don’t have to go on feeling that way.”

Warning signs of suicide can include:

• Talking about not wanting to live anymore

• Believing that death is the only solution to their problems

• Displaying depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritation, aggression or anger

• Holding onto feelings of humiliation, shame or hopelessness

• Withdrawing from relationships with family and friends

• Losing interest in things they usually enjoy

• Using alcohol or drugs

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Poor work or school performance

• Giving away things they own

Through the Zero Suicide initiative, Avera has suicide screening and assessment tools for use at primary care and emergency visits.

The Ask the Question campaign takes these preventive efforts a step further by giving everyone tools and resources to help prevent suicides.

At Avera.org/AskTheQuestion, you can learn how to have a meaningful conversation about suicide, refer someone to helpful resources, and take other measures of prevention.