National Suicide Prevention Month
It's National Suicide Prevention Month and I can't even fathom the importance of helping someone in need. It may be your mother, your friend, your cousin, or even a stranger, but one person can change the difference of what the outcome may be.
I lost a friend to suicide and there are all the what could I have done? Why didn't I see the signs? Why didn't they call me or reach out? None of that matters...if a person is in that amount of pain to end their own life they will find a way end the pain. Typically, those who are suicidal will not reach out for help, but rather find a way to do it and that why it's so important to be aware of the warning signs. I don't believe that suicide is selfish. I believe it's a mental illness and when someone is in that much pain you're thinking isn't straight. I have heard people say "Doesn't that person care of the people they are hurting?" It isn't about hurting anyone!
In 2011 my mind kept spinning in circles to make sense of my friend's death. There are no easy answers. No one knew how much pain my friend was in until...that was the end. I'm not going to go into details for the sake of my friends that knew her, but my point is this...if you know someone is struggling, they are blogging about suicidal tendencies, DON'T just sit there and think it's a phase because it's NOT It's not something to joke about or think they will be okay tomorrow.
The following signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. The risk of suicide is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible by calling the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
- Talking about being a burden to others.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
Suicide Facts
- Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.
- Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.
- Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.
- Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.
- Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
- For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
- Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
- 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.
- The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.
- In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC)
- It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)
- An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS) Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.
- Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.
- Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.
RESOURCES
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK
Suicide Hotline
1-800-784-8433
National Hopeline Network
1-800-SUICIDE
National Alliance on Mental Illness
800.950.NAMI (800.950.6264)
Depression Hotline
1-630-482-9696
Grief Support
1-650-321-5272
Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
SUICIDE PREVENTION
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