"It's important to listen to a person's story
and the reasons they want to die so we can
give them reasons to live."
— Anne Kramer
life. This surprised some participants.
"The training provides a model
where the goal is to explore the topic
of suicide, not run away from it,"
Blumstein said. "It's counterintui-
tive, but if they talk, they can think it
through and come to a more rational
decision:'
When Blumstein received the call
from the potentially suicidal high
schooler, it took about seven minutes
for the teen to go downstairs, give his
parents the razor blade he had been
threatening to use and ask for their
help.
"Talking about it does not make it
happen, but helps them redirect their
thinking," said Anne Kramer, ASIST
trainer and clinical social worker at
the University of Michigan depres-
sion center. "It's important to listen to
a person's story and the reasons they
want to die so we can give them rea-
sons to live. Most people will choose
to get help. Life will usually prevail if
we can help them see other options:'
Blumstein's interest in suicide pre-
vention began a few years ago when
he asked a group of more than 100
local Jewish high school students
how many had experienced suicidal
thoughts or knew someone else who
had attempted or committed suicide.
"Almost every hand in the room
went up," said Blumstein, director of
the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House,
a Friendship Circle of Michigan
program that provides support and
guidance to individuals and families
struggling with addiction, isolation
and other life crises.
Miles Menuck of Birmingham
thought the specific steps and guide-
lines, some illustrated by charts and
other visual aids, enhanced the value
of the workshop.
"They broke it down into pieces,"
said Menuck, 16. "They showed
us how to recognize the signs that
someone needs help and treat that as
an 'invitation. The most important
thing I picked up is that the reason
someone wants to die can also be the
reason they would want to live:'
Kramer was impressed by the
group members' intuitiveness and
willingness to go back into their com-
munities and use what they learned
to help others who are struggling.
"We want to teach people to ask for
help and teach other people how to
respond," she said. "Most people want
to help but don't know how:'
❑
How You Can Help
• Recognize an "invitation" from someone who needs help: depression,
talk about suicide, behavioral changes.
• Build a rapport; encourage the person to share his story and explore
his reasons for wanting to commit suicide.
• Ask the person directly if he is considering suicide; do not shy away
from the word.
• Help the person develop a "safe plan" that includes specific steps,
such as reaching out to trusted adults in the community: family mem-
bers, medical or mental health professionals, school personnel or reli-
gious leaders.
• Do not "guilt trip" the person about wanting to commit suicide.
• Trust your instincts if someone appears to be at risk.
• Call for emergency help if someone is in a dangerous situation.
• National Suicide Prevention 24-hour Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Source: ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
St. Joe's
Lung Cancer Program Offers
the Latest Diagnostics, Treatment
By Jack Weiner,
resident and CEO
St. Joseph Merc
Oaklan
Lung cancer is the most common
cause of cancer death in men and
women combined, but recent treatment
breakthroughs provide ways to earlier
diagnose and better treat the disease.
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland's Lung Cancer
Program offers the latest in diagnostics,
treatment and clinical trials.
Here's why you should seek out St. Joe's for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
We offer:
• A quicker path to diagnosis and treatment with twice monthly multidisciplinary
Lung Tumor Board meetings attended by a team that includes nationally recognized
experts in Radiation Oncology and Thoracic Surgery, along with specialists in
Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology and others. Working
together, the team develops a personalized cancer treatment plan for each patient
designed to deliver the best outcomes.
• A lung cancer nurse navigator who facilitates care for each patient. She provides
patient education, coordinates appointments and provides additional emotional and
resource support throughout each patient's treatment journey.
• Our nationally recognized specialists have dedicated St. Joe's affiliated lung
cancer practices and are skilled and experienced in the latest cutting-edge
diagnostic and treatment technology.
• Superdimension Navigational Bronchoscopy System, Endobronchial Ultrasound
(EBUS) and Low-Dose Lung CT screening for the latest in detection, diagnosis and
staging, along with da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery.
• A Surgical Pavilion with modern surgical suites that offers the most up-to-date
technological advances in the area.
• Access to nearly 150 clinical trials through our Community Clinical Oncology
Program (CCOP), the same trials accessed by the Mayo Clinic. This means patients
can receive cutting-edge treatment while remaining right in our community.
• Access to educational information in our Cancer Resource and Support Center,
within the Alice Gustafson Center on the hospital campus.
• A Cancer Center that offers an environment of patient comfort and dignity in both
the physician office and the infusion center.
For more information on St. Joe's Lung Cancer Program, call Patti Moore, Lung Nurse
Navigator, at 248-858-3471.
When you're looking for the latest, comprehensive and compassionate lung
cancer care, come to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, where our clinical outcomes speak
for themselves.
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