September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
Sunday, September 5 through Saturday, September 11, is National Suicide Prevention Week.
Friday, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day.
A lot of people are uncomfortable talking about suicide. We don’t want to think about it, much less talk about it. But it’s time that we move past the stigma so that we can prevent the unnecessary loss of life through suicide! One of the ways to de-stigmatize suicide is to bring it out into the open. Talk about it. Make it ‘ok’ for people to share their struggles. Provide ‘safe places’ for people to talk and actually get help.
That’s why having things like Suicide Prevention Month, Week, and Day are so important. It gives us a really good reason to be honest and transparent with each other. It helps us to collectively focus on this difficult topic and move toward coming up with real answers.
So what are some things that we need to know about suicide?
- Suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined.
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Americans aged 15 – 24.
- Being a victim of domestic violence increases chances of depression and suicidal behavior.
- Around 130 people in the U.S. take commit suicide EVERY DAY.
- Females are two to three times as likely to attempt suicide, but males are more likely to actually kill themselves.
- The most common method that males use to commit suicide are firearms, whereas females are more likely to use poisoning of some type.
- Of students in grades 9 – 12, 8.9% admitted that they had attempted suicide at least once in the last year.
- The best way to prevent suicide is through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of depression and other mental health issues.
According to suicidepreventionlifeline.org , these are the warning signs to know if a friend or love one is at risk for suicide:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like 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.
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Extreme mood swings.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or know of someone that is, call the National Suicide Prevention Life Line @ 1-888-273-TALK (8255) or go to their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ .
If you are a victim of domestic violence call 1-888-554-2501, anytime, day or night. For help in Morrilton, call 501-354-1884, or in Perryville, call 501-889-2030.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/
https://www.theovernight.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1034
https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics
https://afsp.org/national-suicide-prevention-week
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