September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I will be talking about facts surrounding suicide and how to help a person having suicidal thoughts. The content in this post may be difficult for some to read. Please take care of yourself.

Disclosure: The statements made in this blog are not medical advice. If you need medical help please reach out to a physician or other medical provider. You may also contact the U.S. national crisis line by dialing 988.

The Facts about Suicide

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that in 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death in the U.S. Over 49,000 people died by suicide that year. 

In that same year, there were over 1 million suicide attempts. Firearms accounted for 54.64% of all suicide deaths. 

In 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women with white males accounting for 68.46% of suicide deaths.  

What causes suicide?

There is no one cause for suicide. There are many possible risk factors that someone may die by suicide. Those factors can be broken down into health, environmental, and historical factors.

Health

• Mental Health Conditions
  • Depression
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Substance Use
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Schizophrenia
• Serious physical health conditions

Environmental

• Prolonged stress due to bullying, harassment, relationship problems, etc. 
• Stressful life events such as divorce, financial crisis or other life transitions
• Discrimination
• Access to lethal means (i.e. firearms and drugs)

Historical

• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide
• Childhood abuse, neglect or trauma
• Generational trauma

Misconceptions

A major barrier to those with suicidal thoughts seeking help is the misconceptions regarding suicide. Here are some common misconceptions.

#1 Talking about suicide increases the chance a person will act on it. 

Fact: Talking about suicide helps people find an alternative view on their circumstances. Reaching out to a support person or network, increases mental health outcomes.

#2 Teenagers are the most at risk for suicide.

Fact: According to data, the age group with the highest suicide rate in the U.S. is those age 45 to 64.

#3 People who take their own lives are cowards, selfish or weak.

Fact: Most who die by suicide are in significant emotional and/or physical pain. They do not see another way out of their situation or don’t want to be a burden to those around them.

#4 Suicide always occurs without warning.

Fact: There are almost always warning signs. Below are a few listed.

Suicide Prevention Strategies-How to help

Know the warning signs

Whether for yourself or someone you know, identify the warning signs that a person may be suicidal. The warning signs can differ for each person. Some signs can be:

• Feeling hopeless/trapped
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Talking about killing themselves/people being better off
• Withdrawing from activities/increase in isolation
• Giving away prized possessions 
• Mood changes 

Increase Protective Factors

Protective factors are what decrease a person’s likelihood of completing suicide. These can be:

• Access to mental health care
• Reducing access to lethal means
• Healthy problem-solving and coping skills
• Feeling connected to a support system

Be Understanding

One of the most common things survivors of suicide say they wish people understood is that they were not “trying ot take the coward’s way out.” 

Remember earlier, when I listed one of the warning signs is talking about being a burden to others? That is what several survivors identify as their reason for a suicide attempt. 

Other reasons include to stop emotional or physical pain and thinking their problem(s) are unsolvable. 

Remain Calm

If a person shares that they are having suicidal thoughts, just listen. Don’t start bombarding them with questions. 

Take what the person says seriously. I have called parents when children express suicidal thoughts and that parent responded with “I’m at work” and hung up the phone. Don’t be that parent. 

If you are able to, transport the person expressing suicidal thoughts to the nearest emergency room or call 911. If you cannot transport them, get them connected to a crisis line or other emergency service.

Once the person is able to obtain professional help, they can begin treatment and create a safety plan. A safety plan is a document that lists a person’s risk factors and protective factors. It also has the person identify coping strategies and people they can reach out to for support. 

CONCLUSION

Suicidal thoughts can be a complex and scary thing for those experiencing them. Getting help is the best way to prevent those thoughts from becoming possible fatal actions.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the 24/7 national crisis line by dialing 988.

Like this post? Share it! Then check out: 

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