For suicide prevention month, I want to provide resources if you or someone you care about shows risk factors for suicide.
Suicide is among the top ten causes of death in the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults. This public health crisis has grown during the pandemic.
Know what to look for when assessing risk for suicide:
Talk about dying, going away, or disappearing.
Other self harm behavior.
Acting in erratic or aggressive ways.
Appearing sad, withdrawn, irritable, or apathetic.
Having no hope for the future.
Feeling worthless, excessive guilt, self-hatred, feeling like a burden.
Changes in behavior or habits such as sleep, appetite, concentration, withdrawal from activities.
Experiencing a recent life change or loss.
For more information about warning signs, check out these resources from NIMH and save.
If you are concerned about someone, you can make a difference by talking about it and being an empathic listener. Many people don’t talk about it because they don’t know what to say. You don’t have to know exactly what to say to let someone know that you care about them and are there for them. You don’t have to handle a mental health crisis alone when there are resources that can help.
Use of suicide prevention lines saves lives. And, great news! Since mid summer 2022, there’s an easier way to access help. Dial 988 it you will be connected to crisis workers (in a similar way that 911 works). This is meant to simplify the process for seeking help.
Here are some resources to help.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month
https://www.apa.org/news/apa/suicide-prevention-month#:~:text=September%20is%20declared%20National%20Suicide,who%20seek%20to%20help%20them.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Since summer 2022 simply dial 988
Youth Crisis Line 1-877-968-8491 or Text TEEN2TEEN to 839863
The Trevor Project Suicide Prevention Lifeline for LGBTQ+ 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline 1-877-565-8860
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States
