Body Found Near Malibou Lake

AGOURA HILLS, CA — A man died Wednesday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near Malibou Lake.

Deputies were sent to South Lake Shore Drive in the unincorporated area near Agoura Hills about 4 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators from the Malibu/Lost Hill's Sheriff's Station were investigating the death as a suicide.

Malibou Lake is a small reservoir surrounded by a residential development in the Santa Monica Mountains, adjacent to Malibu Creek State Park and within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

How To Help

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, here are six guidelines to follow if a teen shares that he or she is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors:

1. Take any talk of suicide seriously. If a teen approaches you and shares suicidal thoughts, let the teen know that you are glad they shared this information and reassure him or her that you can help and he or she is not alone.
2. Provide reassurance. Let the teen know there is help available and that you and others care and want to help.
3. Use your judgment. If the teen has suicidal thoughts, a specific suicide plan and seems intent on ending his or her life, get help immediately by calling 911 or the National Suicide Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).
4. Contact a parent or other trusted adult. If a teen shares suicidal thoughts with you, let him or her know you cannot keep that a secret, you need to contact a parent or trusted adult and ask who you should reach out to. Wait with the teen until the trusted adult arrives. Do not leave a teen who may be suicidal alone.
5. Share the resource sheet. When the trusted adult arrives, share the resource sheet and recommend that they immediately seek mental health care for the teen.
6. Share information about the encounter with others and document it. Let others within your organization know that you had that conversation with a member of the youth group and document how you handled it.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, here are 10 warning signs to watch for a person who may be struggling with a mental health crisis:

1. Feeling very sad, withdrawn or unmotivated for more than two weeks.
2. Making plans or trying to harm or kill oneself.
3. Out-of-control, risk-taking behaviors.
4. Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing.
5. Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain.
6. Severe mood swings causing problems in relationships.
7. Excess use of drugs or alcohol.
8. Drastic changes in behavior, personality or sleeping habits.
9. Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still.
10. Intense worries or fears getting in the way of daily activities like hanging out with friends or going to classes.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources to help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE (or 1-800-784-2433). Its website offers services including a live chat.

City News Service