It’s important to break the silence about suicide.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s also on the rise: suicide rates increased 36% between 2000 and 2021. The result: one death every 11 minutes.
When one person dies by suicide, they leave behind a trail of grief, shock, anger, guilt and devastation for friends and family. It’s an experience that no one deserves, and everyone must work together to prevent.
September is a time for action. In addition to being Suicide Prevention Month, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Here are six steps you can take to try and prevent suicide.
- Learn the warning signs of suicide. Everyone expresses their emotions differently. But if you’re worried about a loved one, it may help to tune into certain indicators that could signal they’re thinking about suicide. According to the American Psychiatric Association, some warning signs of suicide may include talking frequently about death, dying or suicide; comments about feeling helpless, hopeless or worthless; an increase in drug or alcohol use; withdrawal from friends and family; dramatic mood swings; reckless behavior; and feeling like a burden to others.
- Educate yourself about suicide and health disparities. Some groups of people are more likely to die by suicide than others. For people ages 10 to 14 and 20 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. People who are American Indian/Alaska Native and white people are also more likely to die by suicide; as are veterans, people in rural areas, people who work in mining or construction and LGBTQ youth, according to the CDC. Of all people, men who are 65 and older face the highest rate of suicide, according to the National Council on Aging. It’s important to be aware of these health disparities, in case they apply to you or to your friends and family.
- Ask thoughtful questions and listen attentively to friends. If you have a friend who is isolated or struggling, reach out and let them know that you are there for them. Ask how they’re doing and, if you are concerned, it’s ok to ask if they are thinking about harming themselves. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says, “Asking someone if they are suicidal won’t put the idea in their head or encourage them to go through with it.” Rather, the organization says it could open up an important dialogue that could help you to help them.
- Prioritize your own mental health. Almost half of all people who die by suicide were living with a mental health condition. If you have been feeling moody, or withdrawn, or not yourself, get help. Make an appointment with a mental health professional and talk about what you’ve been going through. They can provide tools and support to assist you through even the most challenging times. If you’re comfortable talking about your own experiences with others, share your story. Help remove the stigma around mental health so that people don’t suffer in silence.
- For immediate help, call 988. If you think someone is considering suicide, don’t leave them alone. Call 988, which is the suicide and crisis lifeline that connects to 200 crisis centers. Trained counselors are on hand to help guide people in crisis, as well as their friends and family. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to call or chat 988.
- Get involved. Across the state and across the country, non-profit organizations focused on suicide and mental health are hard at work raising awareness and furthering the cause. They could all use volunteers and donations. To make a direct impact, find out ways that you can get involved.
To help with suicide prevention efforts on a grassroots level in your community, be a good listener, be a kind and empathetic person, and be a responsive friend. Encourage people who are struggling to get help, and if you’re struggling yourself, speak up and reach out to a healthcare professional or call or chat 988. For more resources in Alabama visit here.
