world suicide prevention day

                                    

Today is world suicide prevention day. It's not a topic that is pretty or comfortable. Nonetheless it is a topic that is important and needs to be talked about. 

First and foremost if you or someone you care about is experience difficult or suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).  You can also text NAMI at 741-741 if talking isn’t your thing. 

NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Health Illness is a great resource for mental health needs.  You can visit them at www.nami.org for everything from resource, personal stories, getting involved and awareness.

                                                         

Individual Impact: 

75% of all people who die by suicide are male.    

Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.  

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 and the 4th leading cause of death for people 35-54      

The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 31% since 2001  

46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition  

While half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.

Over 48,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2018; it is the 10th leading cause of death overall. 

Community Impact: 

In 2017, suicide was: 

o    the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10-34.1  

o    the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15-24.1  

o    the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, ages 15-24.1

o    the second leading cause of death for Hispanic people in the U.S., ages 15-34. 

American Indian/Alaska Native adults die by suicide at a rate 20% higher than 

non-Hispanic white adults.  

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.  

Transgender people are 12 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.  

10% of young adults say they experienced suicidal thoughts in the past year.   

1CDC. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). [Accessed 08/02/2019]. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html 

 Signs and Symptoms

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:

Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live

Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun

Talking about great guilt or shame

Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)

Talking about being a burden to others

Using alcohol or drugs more often

Acting anxious or agitated

Withdrawing from family and friends

Changing eating and/or sleeping habits

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast

Talking or thinking about death often

Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

Giving away important possessions

Saying goodbye to friends and family

Putting affairs in order, making a will

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

 

You have a life worth living, a life that matters, and people who want to help you succeed.