HEALTHY MIND MATTERS

‘I loved him off the ledge’: Lehi man inspires suicide prevention playbook

Sep 6, 2022, 6:08 PM | Updated: Feb 9, 2023, 5:19 pm

LEHI, Utah — Utah aspires to be a leader in suicide prevention and the state needs help from the public to make that happen.

As part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Utah launched a first-of-its-kind suicide prevention course taught on social media, or online. It’s called Live On Utah: a statewide effort to educate and prevent suicide. The idea is to train as many Utahns as possible to recognize the warning signs of suicide, and what to do next.

The inspiration behind this program happened last January when Joe Tuia’ana of Lehi came across a stranger going through a suicide crisis.

“I am an average Utahn put in a special situation,” Tuia’ana said at the launch of Live On Utah.

The Live On Utah suicide prevention playbook is available on Instagram. (KSL TV) The Live On Utah suicide prevention playbook is available on Instagram. (KSL TV) The Live On Utah suicide prevention playbook is available on Instagram. (KSL TV) Clint Betts, president and CEO Silicon Slopes. (KSL TV)

On the afternoon of Jan. 29, Tuia’ana spotted the stranger as he was crossing an interstate overpass in Utah County.

Tuia’ana knew he had to stop, get out, and do something.

“We cried together,” Tuia’ana said. He cradled the man in his arms for what seemed like a very long time to him. “All I could muster through my tears was ‘I love you, bro.’”

Nothing else was spoken on that bridge, the suicide prevention advocate said.

“My way of telling someone I love him is ‘I love you, bro’. So, I said it over and over with my arms out like this, and he came down. I loved him off the ledge,” Tuia’ana said.

Since then, Tuia’ana’s family has had that man over for dinner. He likes to see how his new friend is doing.

“Most Fridays I send him a text checking in, ‘I love you bro.’”

Before that experience, he knew suicide was an issue. But that encounter with a stranger in trouble changed his perspective on suicide.

“This moment changed my life forever,” he said.

Utahns do not need to be where Tuia’ana was to save a life. The Department of Health and Human Services Monday launched the Live On Utah Suicide prevention playbook.

The idea is to create Live On ambassadors throughout the state, in every neighborhood.

“This training was developed by mental health experts in the state of Utah. They will walk you through this course and teach you how to recognize warning signs for suicide, how do you have tough conversations, and where to go for help,” said Allison Foust, suicide prevention coordinator for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.

The course work includes 10 lessons, about 10 minutes each, available on Instagram or online for free.

“This program was developed because suicide is a tough conversation,” said Foust. “It’s something we all want to be involved in and make a difference in every day. We just don’t know how.”

The suicide prevention playbook will help people learn to ask tough questions about suicide, and show real empathy and compassion.

“It’s about checking in, knowing what to look for, and where to turn,” said Tuia’ana.

The Live On suicide playbook is on Instagram @LiveOnUtah, or, online at liveonutah.org.


Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

  • SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
  • SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
  • SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
  • Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
  • LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Other community-based resources

KSL 5 TV Live

Healthy Mind Matters

Group is walking to Wendover for suicide preventin and awareness...

Ayanna Likens

100-mile walk to Wendover raises awareness for suicide prevention

Several Utahns are taking part in the annual 100-mile walk to Wendover from Tooele City to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Ayanna Likens

Why bipolar episodes tend to rise in the spring

The change of seasons can be really hard for people who struggle with their mental health. Winter months can lead to more depression, and the shift to spring can lead to more bipolar episodes.

12 months ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Jed Boal

Today is Teen Mental Wellness Day – here’s ways to help your teen

Teenagers who are struggling with their mental health are not always eager or ready to reach out for help. Thursday is Teen Mental Wellness Day, so we wanted to share some ideas with teens and parents who are seeking answers.

1 year ago

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than w...

Ayanna Likens

Study: African American and Black adults are more likely to suffer from mental illness than white adults

A recent NAMI study shows that African American and Black adults in the U.S. are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Lauren Steinbrecher

St. George mom shares warning after FBI sees rise in sextortion scams targeting teen boys

A St. George mom is sharing a warning for other parents, as the FBI says it's seeing a huge rise in teens targeted in sextortion scams.

1 year ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Karah Brackin

Students across Utah come together to learn the importance of mental health care

Mental health, wellness and suicide prevention — they're all big topics of conversation, and more and more, those conversations include our kids. That's where Hope Squad is coming in to help.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

‘I loved him off the ledge’: Lehi man inspires suicide prevention playbook