7th Annual Tristan Billmayer Suicide Walk

The 7th Annual Tristan Billmayer Suicide Walk was recently held on the Big Flat. It was a beautiful day for the walk on the Big Flat under Montana's Big Sky Country. There was a great turn out for the event and walkers consisted of various groups and individuals. Some rode bicycles or side by sides, while others either ran or walked. Once again, the MSU-N Cross Country walkers came to participate in the event. Shawna Billmayer gave a short talk prior to heading out on the approximate 8 mile trek. She bravely spoke about her experiences of Suicide.

Cody Ballard of Hogeland drove participants to the Catholic Church where the walk began. Upon arriving back at the Park, the group was given a sack lunch to enjoy before heading home.

Seven years ago the Billmayer family lost their son, Tristan, whom at the time was just a few weeks from graduating with the Turner Class of 2015. The entire community felt sorrow. Suicide is a real thing. This walk was organized in Tristan's memory in hopes to help others who might be suicidal. Remember, there is help available and that you are not alone. Depression is treatable. It's one of the most treatable of all psychiatric disorders in young people . Here are a few facts about Suicide (Center for Disease Control-WISQARS Vital Statistics Report 12/2020):

• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death.

• Suicide has surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 cause of injury-related death in the United States.

• There has been a 30% increase in the number of suicides in the United States since 1998.

• Males complete suicide at a rate four times that of females. However, females attempt suicide three time more often than males.

• Firearms remain the most commonly used suicide method, accounting for 50% of all completed suicides.

• Up to 45% of individuals who die by suicide visit their primary care provider within a month of their death, with 20% of those having visited their primary care provider within 24 hours of their death .

• Those suffering from chronic pain are 3 times the risk of suicide.

Look for warning signs. You can't always tell when a loved one or friend is considering suicide. But here are some common signs:

• Talking about Suicide

• Getting the means to die by suicide

• Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone

• Mood Swings

• Being preoccupied by death, dying or violence

• feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation

• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs

• Changing a normal routine

• Saying goodbye to people as if they won't see them again

• Developing personality changes, anxious, agitated.

Get emergency help, if needed. If you believe someone is in danger of dying by suicide or has made a suicide attempt:

• Don't leave the person alone

• Call 911

• Try to find out if he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or may have taken an overdose.

• Tell a family member or friend right away what's going on.

Offer support. If a friend or loved one is thinking about suicide, he or she needs professional help, even if suicide isn't an immediate danger. Here's what you can do:

• Encourage the person to seek treatment

• Offer to help the person take steps to get assistance and support

• Encourage the person to communicate with you.

• Be respectful and acknowledge the person's feelings

• Don't be patronizing or judgemental

• Never promise to keep someone's suicidal feelings a secret

• Offer reassurance that things will get better

• Encourage the person to avoid alcohol and drug use

• Remove potentially dangerous items from the person's home, if possible.

You can call the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can find additional Suicide Prevention Resources at dphhs.mt.gov.