A Hastings adult died by suicide Sunday evening.

The 46-year-old woman was found dead by Hastings police officers and Hastings firefighters.

Here is information related to depression and suicide that may prove useful to residents:

Symptoms

Symptoms of serious depression are listed on the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education website. In adolescents, they include:

• Depressive illnesses/anxiety may be disguised as, or presented as, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, risk-taking behavior such as reckless driving, unprotected sex, carelessness when walking across busy streets, on bridges or cliffs.
• There may be social isolation, running away, constant disobedience, getting into trouble with the law, physical or sexual assaults against others, obnoxious behavior, failure to care about appearance/hygiene, no sense of self or of values/morals, difficulty cultivating relationships, inability to establish/stick with occupational/educational goals.
• Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, neck aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive disorders. (ruling out other medical causes)
• Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability.
• Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage.
• Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem.
• Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork.
• Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements, or restlessness (anxiety).
• Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities.
• Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness.
• Change in appetite, noticeable weight loss or weight gain, or abnormal eating patterns.
• Chronic worry, excessive fear.
• Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts.
• Warning signs of suicide
• SAVE lists these as warning signs of suicide. The risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss or change.
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawn or feeling isolated.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
• Additional Warning Signs of Suicide
• Preoccupation with death.
• Suddenly happier, calmer.
• Loss of interest in things one cares about.
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
• Making arrangements; setting one's affairs in order.
• Giving things away, such as prized possessions.

Resources

Several resources are available for anyone having a mental health crisis.

Among them is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

A Twin Cities-based resource, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, has a wealth of materials for anyone with questions about suicide. Their website can be found at www.save.org.

Dakota County has a mental health crisis team, too. The county's 24-hour phone line can be reached at 952-891-7171.

The county includes this information on its website:

If a person is an immediate danger to self or others, call 911.

The Dakota County Crisis Response Unit (CRU) provides 24-hour phone and face-to-face crisis intervention and consultation.

CRU staff is able to hospitalize clients needing that level of care or utilize crisis beds available at a contracted residential treatment provider.

Other crisis resources:

Crisis Connection (24-hour hotline for mental health)

612-379-6363

National Hope Hotline for Youth Crisis and Suicide

800-S U I C I D E (800-784-2433).

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