Death in Pontiac Possibly a Suicide
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, March 24, 2014)
INCIDENT: 10:14 hrs. March 23, 2014 – City of Pontiac – Death Investigation/Possible Suicide    # 14-42205
SUMMARY:  OCSO Deputies were dispatched to the 120 block of W. Yale for a report of a 39 year old female who was found not breathing by her daughter. Upon arrival STAR EMS began CPR and transported the female to McLaren Oakland. Deputies located a suicide note and prescription pills near where the patient was found. The patient’s daughter was interviewed on scene and reported her mother was bi-polar, schizophrenic, and had a history of suicide attempts.   
OUTCOME OF INCIDENT: While at McLaren Oakland the patient was pronounced. There were no obvious signs of trauma on the body. Detectives responded and began their investigation. The body was turned over to the medical examiner.
VICTIM, SUSPECT or ARRESTEE INFORMATION: Deceased: 39 year old female resident of Pontiac.
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SUICIDE PREVENTION:
“Suicide is a major public health issue, but it is preventable,” said George Miller, Director of Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services in a previous article. “It is important for everyone to recognize the warning signs and risk factors for suicide to prevent the loss of lives.”
Warning Signs:
~Talking about, or making plans to die
~Talking about “ending the pain”
~Persistently feeling sad, lonely or “empty”
~Insomnia or excessive sleeping
~Social isolation and withdrawal
~Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Risk Factors:
~Previous suicide attempt(s)
~Depression or other mental illness
~Substance use
~Family history of suicide
~Physical illness and /or chronic pain
If you or someone you know is in crisis, do not leave the person alone and do not isolate yourself.  Call your doctor, 911, go to a hospital emergency room for immediate help, or ask someone to help you.  The phone number for Common Ground’s 24-hour Crisis and Resource Helpline is 800-231-1127 and is available 24 hours a day.
Additional Resources:
Common Ground – www.commongroundhelps.org
Oakland County Community Mental Health – www.occmha.org
Easter Seals – www.mi.easterseals.com
Suicide Prevention Resource Center – www.sprc.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – www.samhsa.gov
National Alliance on Mental Illness – www.name.org