According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2017), suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, claiming 47,000 lives annually. During a 16 year period of studying suicide in the United States, the total suicide rate increased 31%. The suicide rate among males is 4 times higher than for females. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10-34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54. (NIMH, 2017) In 2017, 10.6 million adults age 18 or older had serious thoughts about killing themselves. Of that population, 1.4 million made non-fatal suicide attempts, and 1.2 million of those adults who attempted had a suicide plan.
As a mental health practitioner, I challenge all of us to do our part to keep each other safe from this public health crisis. Please reach out to the hotlines below if you, or a friend or loved one are having thoughts of suicide. Don’t keep it a secret, don’t go it alone. This is not one of those times you keep a friend’s secrets.
Facts and Myths about Suicide
Here are some myths and facts about suicide from the World Health Organization (WHO). Let’s see what you know.
T or F Once someone is suicidal they are always suicidal.
Fact: Heightened Suicide risk is usually short term and situation specific. While someone may have recurrent suicidal thoughts, they are not permanent and a person with previous suicidal thoughts and attempts can go on to live a normal life.
T or F Talking about suicide will only encourage a person thinking of suicide.
Fact: With the prevalence of stigma around suicide, most people who are contemplating suicide will not know who to turn to. Rather than encouraging suicidal behavior, talking frankly about sucide can help a person find alternative options, or time to rethink their decision, thereby preventing suicide.
T or F Only people with mental disorders are suicidal.
Fact: Suicidal behavior indicates deep unhappiness, but not necessarily a mental disorder. There are many people with mental disorders that are unaffected by suicidal thoughts, and not all people who choose to take their own lives have mental disorders.
T or F Most suicides happen suddenly and without warning.
Fact: The majority of suicides have been preceded by warning signs, which may be verbal or behavioral. Certainly, there are some suicides that occur without any warning signs. It is important to understand what the warning signs are, and to know what to do.
T or F Someone who is suicidal is determined to die.
Fact: Most suicidal people are ambivalent about living or dying. Someone may act impulsively, fooling around with something dangerous, harming themselves fatally, when they had no intention of ending their life.
T or F People who talk about suicide do not mean to do it.
Fact: People who talk about suicide may be reacing our for emotional support and help. A significant number of people who contemplate sucide are experiencing anxiety, depression and hopelessness and may feel there is no other option.
When to be Concerned
Has there been a pronounced, persistent (more than 2 weeks) change in a person’s behavior, moods, thought patterns, self-care, hygiene, or functioning? These changes could be the signs of a mental disorder and an indication to seek help.
Common Warning Signs and Symptoms
- Confused or peculiar thinking
- Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)
- Rapid mood swings, with extreme highs and lows
- Excessive fears, worries and anxieties
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Delusions or hallucinations; hearing voices
- Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Sudden decline in functioning
- Suicidal thoughts Increased agitation
- Aggressive or abusive behavior, including defiance of authority, truancy, theft, or vandalism
- Intense fear of weight gain
If you have a family member or friend in crisis…
Do not leave him or her alone. Try to get the person to seek immediate help from an emergency room, doctor, or mental health professional. Any comments about suicide or wishing to die should be taken seriously. Even if you do not believe your family member or friend will actually attempt suicide, he or she is clearly in distress and can benefit from mental health treatment.
Resources
Here are some resources: So you are prepared, please take the time to put them in your phone contacts. You never know, having that number could save a life.
Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.
Virginia 211 – 2-1-1 is a free referral and information helpline that connects people to a wide range of health and human services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact 2-1-1 in any state, including Virginia, simply dial the numbers 2-1-1 from any phone.
If you are in crisis, and need immediate help call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. First responders will help to keep you safe.
Girls & Boys Town National Hotline
(800) 448-3000
National Hopeline Network
(800) SUICIDE
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK (8255)
National Youth Crisis Hotline
(800) 442-HOPE (4673)
