- The more open and direct we can be about suicide, the more chance we have of preventing it and connecting with people.

(gentle music) Good morning everybody.

I'll be presenting today a program.

It's an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Program, AFSP, and it's called Talk Saves Lives.

Suicides are preventable and one way that we do help prevent them is through open and direct conversation.

And our goal for you today is to learn more about suicide prevention and what we all working together can do.

When I walk in the room, I want to make sure that they know the importance of mental health, let them know that we care about them and that they're not alone in this.

Who is at risk?

We know the answer to this one.

Everybody.

Thanks to the research, though, we do know that there are key factors that put different people at a higher risk.

Seniors, as a matter of fact, are at the highest risk.

There is not enough attention paid to seniors and suicide.

The number one factor in seniors and suicide is loneliness.

If you yourself are having thoughts of suicide, reach out.

You can call that 9-8-8 number and get support.

Does everybody know what 9-8-8 is?

It's the new suicide prevention hotline number.

So when a house is on fire or there's a car accident, we dial 9-1-1.

Now we dial 9-8-8 for mental health emergencies or crisis, or just if you wanna talk to somebody.

Suicide prevention is really grassroots.

It's just it's us paying attention to each other and making the effort and to reach out to somebody and not assuming that someone else is going to do it.

- [Announcer] Eddy Senior Living, six Capital Region communities where seniors can meet others who share their same energy, interests and passions.

Chef prepared meals, social events and activities.

EddySeniorLiving.com.