September is Suicide Awareness Month

September is known as Suicide Prevention month– a month dedicated to spreading awareness, bringing hope to those who need it, and sparking action within communities. Whether you are conscious of it or not, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S, and the suicide rates have increased 36% in the last decade. Young teens and adults in their late twenties to early thirties are particularly at risk. This is a serious health epidemic that is in need of urgent attention to stop the rising numbers, so here’s what you can do to help remind yourself and others that suicide is preventable with the right resources and support.

The most important thing you can do is be aware. This includes knowing the particular warning signs that those who may be considering suicide may exhibit. These can include:

Talking about:

• Wanting to die
• Intense guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others

Feeling

• Empty, hopeless, trapped
• Extremely sad, anxious, or agitated
• Unbearable emotion or physical pain

Changing behavior

• Making a plan or researching suicide
• Withdrawing from close friends and family
• Taking extreme abnormal risks

If you feel like these signs apply to someone you know, the next most important thing you can do is guarantee their immediate safety. If this person has access to any harmful substances or objects and are at high risk of suicidal thoughts or ideation, remove them from their possession. This can help lesson triggers and prohibit them from formulating a plan based on what they have access to in their environment.

Once the individual is in a safe space, show empathy and earnestly support them. Suicidal thoughts often come from belief that they are alone and that there is no hope of changing things for the better. Intervening and providing a safe space with options to seek help has the potential to change someone's unsafe way of thinking. Here are a few ideas on how you can show that you care about their safety and want what is best for them:

• Listen without judgement– tell them you care about them, you’re there for them, and you sincerely want to help. Take what they say seriously and meet them with empathy rather than reason.
• Help them see they aren’t alone– look to others to help rally support through friends, family, school community, and other social groups.
• Remind them reasons to live– from simple things such as their favorite food to impacting their support network, give them hope with what you think will best get through to them.
• Suggest support groups or therapy– let them know that it is ok to ask for help and there are plenty of resources available. Encourage them to meet with a counselor, therapist, or emergency service if needed.
• Know when to seek professional help– this is a burden that shouldn’t be carried alone by them or you. Sometimes they are focused so heavily on the negative darkness they feel that they need an expert to reach them. Don’t be afraid to call for serious help.

Every individual is different and may need different resources or a combination of multiple, so don’t be discouraged if you try one and it doesn’t work. The best thing you can do is be aware of what is happening, keep them safe, and offer support. While September is Suicide Prevention Month, this problem doesn’t stop at the end of the month and neither should spreading awareness. Remember, there is always hope.

If this post resonates with you or someone you know, please reach out to one of these mental health resources available 24 hours a day:

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call/text (988) or visit 988lifeline.org to talk with a  someone about a mental health crisis
• Crisis Text Line: text “HOME” to (741-741) to be connected to mental health counselors
• The Trevor Project: text “START” to (678-678) for LGBTQ+ specific support
• Emergency Number: call (911) in case of immediate emergencies

SOURCES

Awareness helps prevent suicide - Mayo Clinic Health System

Warning Signs of Suicide - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Understanding Suicide Prevention and Awareness: A Guide for Meaningful Conversations  - Grit Psychology

What Is Suicide? Prevalence, Risks, Signs & Prevention

General Resources | Suicide Prevention | CDC