Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Resources and support to honor National Suicide Prevention Month

[Disclaimer: This is a long post, but it is chock-full of resources. Feel free to scroll to the topics that are most relevant to you.]

IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In case of emergency, dial 911. (disponible en español )

• Call or text 988.
• Chat 988lifeline.org.
• TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988.

Once you have called 988 or 911, tell the operator that you are calling about a mental health emergency. To ensure the police arrive prepared to respond appropriately follow these tips.

My Personal Journey

September is Suicide Awareness Month. My personal story of suicide and suicidal thoughts is long and winding. It is a story of survival, prevention, advocacy, loss, and trauma.

But it is also a large part of my story as the person I am. I don’t intend to tell this whole story today, but I want to give a glimpse into how the ghost of suicide impacted this particular person because the story is different for all of us.

I first started experiencing depression in my early high school years. I have always been an emotional, quirky, anxious child, but it wasn’t until college that the pain started to feel too difficult to suppress.

When I say suppress, I mean that I was very good at hiding the reality of how truly awful I felt most of the time. I was a high achiever and could maintain my grades, extracurricular activities, and relationships.

In some ways, I feel that maybe I was good at these things because I was so good at masking and covering up the extreme symptoms and feelings I was having.

I experienced my first suicidal ideation at nineteen. This was the first in a long line of times I have asked for help. For safety.

Though I was terrified at what it would mean to let those words, “I’m not safe,” escape from my lips, the response from my boyfriend and family showed me that I chose the right people.

At the time, it didn’t feel like the right choice. It led to me having to leave school for a period and eventually be hospitalized. But I am so proud of myself for taking the step.

I am proud because I did that big scary thing of asking for help. I am proud that I saved my life. I am proud that I started what was to be a healthy pattern of seeking help in times of need.

Though I am capable of managing my bipolar and depression well for the most part, it is a nasty beast when it does rear its head.

My brain seems to prefer suicidal ideation to all other symptoms, and so I unfortunately have a long list of times I have been suicidal, hospitalized, and needed preventative support.

I also have a long list of reminders that I want to live, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. These reminders include the love of my husband and family, my nieces and nephews, my dog, my friends, flowers, the moon, music, books, and more.

I have also learned that this symptom is a trick my brain plays on me from time to time.

Thoughts of suicide are nothing to mess with. They want to take control, to make you feel alone, and to feed on your darkest fears.

Suicidal thoughts lie to you.

The reality is: There are people who care. Your situation can change.

I know the power suicidal thoughts have on one’s mind and the outcomes on a family and community that has lost loved ones in its wake.

You are not alone. You are not weak because you can’t make the thoughts go away. You are worth living for.

In honor of Suicide Awareness Month, I want to share some resources on how to help yourself or a loved one who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as some research and information on how you can help advocate for suicide prevention.

This post, as is my book sharing these experiences, is dedicated to my uncle Steve.

As my grandpa told me when my book was first published, talking about mental health and suicide can help save lives.

We need to tell our stories because we are not alone. There is help and a community of people ready to support you.

Getting Help

Suicide Warning Signs

[Because I am not a clinician and know the importance of sharing accurate and well-vetted information, the following warning signs are pulled directly from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention risk factor and warning signs page.]

“Something to look out for when concerned that a person may be suicidal is a change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors. This is of sharpest concern if the new or changed behavior is related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say or what they do.

Talk

If a person talks about:

• Killing themselves
• Feeling hopeless
• Having no reason to live
• Being a burden to others
• Feeling trapped
• Unbearable pain

Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods
• Withdrawing from activities
• Isolating from family and friends
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
• Giving away prized possessions
• Aggression
• Fatigue

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of interest
• Irritability
• Humiliation/Shame
• Agitation/Anger
• Relief/Sudden Improvement”

For more warning signs of suicide, visit The Trevor Project’s warning signs page.

How to Help Yourself

When it comes to suicidal thoughts, there is help.

There is no shame in feeling suicidal or in asking for help. You are not alone in feeling this way or alone in the world.

If you are struggling, AFSP recommends the following:

• Don’t Wait for Someone to Reach Out
• Seek mental health treatment, or tell your clinician about your suicidal thinking.
• Treat yourself like you would treat someone else who needs your help.

IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In case of emergency, dial 911. (disponible en español )

• Call or text 988.
• Chat 988lifeline.org.
• TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988.

Other crisis and support lines:

• Trans Lifeline: 1–877–565–8860 (para español presiona el 2)
• The Trevor Project’s TrevorLifeline: 1–866–488–7386
• Suicide lifeline for LGBTQ+

Resources if you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm:

• AFSP resource main page if you are having thoughts of suicide.
• Mental health resources for underrepresented communities
• LGBTQ crisis and support resources
• Find a mental health professional
• How to have a conversation about needed help (with steps): This resource provides steps for having a conversation and reaching out for help.
• Personal note: Being direct and saying, “I don’t feel safe,” to a trusted person has helped me break the barrier and move things forward without hesitating to find the right words.
• Make a safety plan: suicidal thoughts won’t last forever, though sometimes they come and go. A safety plan can make a huge difference and help you and your loved ones be ready to take the necessary actions to keep you safe.
• Safety Plan Template

Remember, having these thoughts and asking for help is okay. You are not alone.

How to Help a Friend

If you have concerns for a friend or loved one, here are some resources to help them get the support they need.

Follow the #BeThe1To Five Steps:

1. Ask (and Listen)
2. Be There
3. Help Keep Them Safe
4. Help Them Connect
5. Follow Up

#BeThe1To If you think someone might be considering suicide, be the one to help them by taking these steps: ask. keep them safe. be there. help them. follow up. Find out why this can save a life at www.BeThe1To.com. If you’re struggling, call the lifeline at 988.

AFSP recommends the following steps if you have concerns that someone is at risk of suicide:

1. Talk to them in private
2. Listen to their story
3. Tell them you care about them
4. Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide
5. Encourage them to seek treatment or contact their doctor or therapist
6. Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems or giving advice

[The following information is pulled from the AFSP “What to do when someone is at risk” page.]

Assume you’re the only one who will reach out

If You’re Concerned About Someone

Talk in Private

Listen to their story, and let them know you care. Ask directly about suicide, calmly and without judgment. Show understanding and take their concerns seriously. Let them know their life matters to you. That one conversation could save a life.

If a Person Says They Are Thinking About Suicide

Take the Person Seriously

Someone considering suicide is experiencing a life-threatening health crisis and may not believe they can be helped. Work with them to keep them safely away from lethal means like firearms and drugs and remind them that their suffering is temporary.

Stay with them and call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Be sure to follow up with them after the crisis to see how they’re doing.

If a person says they are considering suicide

• Take the person seriously
• Stay with them
• Help them remove lethal means
• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
• Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room

Suicide Prevention Awareness and Advocacy

Many of us are touched by suicide, and that is why it is critical to build awareness and advocate for suicide prevention.

What can you do?

Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Participate in National Suicide Prevention Month this September. All month, mental health advocates, allies, providers, organizations, and communities come together to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
• Participate in Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th by remembering those affected by suicide and raising awareness around treatment and prevention
• Participate in National Suicide Prevention Week, September 9th through 15th, to share resources and stories and help people feel less alone.
• Participate in #BeThe1To by sharing #BeThe1To’s five action steps, resources, and tips throughout National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond.
• Be an AFSP Volunteer Advocate and “become a vital part of a large grassroots movement of people who are speaking out for suicide prevention and mental health at all levels of government.”
• Find more ways to advocate with AFSP.

Suicide statistics

To truly understand that we are not alone and how prevalent suicide is in our world, it is helpful to turn to research and science.

Here are some key statistics on suicide both in the United States and globally. These numbers feel staggering and heartbreaking, but it is essential to acknowledge the breadth of the problem.

• According to the latest report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the data on suicide deaths for the year 2021, suicide deaths increased between the years 2020 and 2021 by almost 5%.
• Currently, in the United States, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, with 49,476 Americans dying by suicide in 2022 and 1.6 million suicide attempts.
• When it comes to global numbers, the World Health Organization estimates 703,000 people die by suicide worldwide each year.
• The global suicide rate is over twice as high among men than women, with white males accounting for 68.46% of suicide deaths in the United States in 2022.
• According to the CDC, in 2022, firearms accounted for 54.64% of all suicide deaths.
• While suicides occur across the globe, over three-quarters (77%) of suicides in 2019 occurred in low and middle-income countries.

Learn more about suicide research and statistics:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on suicide deaths for the year 2021
• American Federation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Lessons from research video
• AFSP Suicide Statistics
• AFSP Suicide Prevention Research
• Global suicide statistics infographic

Suicide awareness and language

As I wrote in a previous newsletter, language matters. When it comes to suicide prevention and stigma reduction, this is even more important. Here is a list of helpful guidelines regarding the appropriate language around suicide prevention.

Download the PDF at https://www.iasp.info/wp-content/uploads/IASP-Language-Guidelines-2022-1.pdf

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In case of emergency, dial 911. (disponible en español )

• Call or text 988.
• Chat 988lifeline.org.
• TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988.
• Trans Lifeline: 1–877–565–8860 (para español presiona el 2)
• The Trevor Project’s TrevorLifeline: 1–866–488–7386
• Suicide lifeline for LGBTQ+
• The Trevor Project Resources for Talking About Suicide
• The Jed Foundation — It’s an Emergency Resource Page
• AFSP Suicide Prevention Resources
• For suicide loss survivors
• Support groups
• Online support groups
• Mental health resources for marginalized communities
• Mental health and substance use resources
• Support resources after an attempt