Why Suicide Prevention Matters and How You Can Give Support
September is Suicide Awareness Month, but the numbers are hardly decreasing. Maybe you have lost someone to suicide, nearly lost yourself to suicide or have never been impacted by the crisis. No one should feel like their life doesn’t matter or that ending it is the best option. No matter your experience with suicide, you can help prevent it.
To put the suicide crisis in perspective, let’s look at the statistics. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States alone. The World Health Organization states that suicide was the 17th leading cause of death in the world in 2019. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among ages 10-14 and 25-34 per the CDC.
In 2020, the AFSP said that nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide and 1.2 million people attempted suicide. This means that an average of 130 people die by suicide every day. Most of these numbers are white males, who accounted for 69.68% of suicide deaths in 2020 – an average of 3.88 times more than women.
Though some generations experience greater rates of death by suicide than others, suicide impacts every age group. Besides suicide being a leading cause of death, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shares that the state of suicide today is as follows:
Suicide impacts people differently.
Cultural pressures make the issue worse.
Substance abuse is a key driver.
Capacity is a continuing issue in the mental/behavioral health field.
The stigma, or negative attitudes surrounding mental health, still exists.
Now that we know the facts, how can we contribute to a society that supports suicide prevention? According to NAMI, we must “revisit the basics”: remove stigma by treating suicide as a public health crisis, know the warning sides, and reach out and offer help. The National Institute of Mental Health offers a list of warning signs through the expressions of speech, feeling and behavior. NAMI also shares an exhaustive list of warning signs to look out for.
Here are some ways that you can support someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts per Rethink Mental Illness:
Let them know that you care and that they are not alone.
Be empathetic. Don’t tell them you understand exactly how they feel, because you most likely have a different experience.
Be non-judgmental, and repeat their words back to them to show that you are listening.
Ask about their reasons for wanting to live and die.
Remind them of the people that care about them and those whom they care for.
Ask if they have felt this way before, and reassure them that they won’t feel this way forever.
Ask if they have a plan to end their life and what it is.
Encourage them to seek help from a professional.
Follow up with any commitments, and make sure they are not left alone if they are in immediate danger.
Seek professional support for yourself.
Suicide is scary, and it affects everyone differently. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988. NAMI has many resources for those in need, including access to a free, trained crisis counselor when you text “NAMI” to 741-741. You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Line at 988lifeline.org.
