Suicide Prevention Month: Help is available

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is dedicated as a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, to those who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and to acknowledge the individuals, families and communities that have been impacted by suicide.

The World Health Organization came out with an article in August 2023 stating that, “Every year 703,000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide.” Suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2019. Statistics continue to show that suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global occurrence in all regions of the world. In fact, in 2019 over 77% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Suicide is a public health problem; however, suicide is preventable.

There are a number of measures that can be taken at various levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. “LIVE LIFE,” which is the World Health Organization’s approach to suicide prevention, recommends the following key effective evidence-based interventions:

1. Limit access to the means of suicide. For example: medications, firearms, poisons such as pesticides.

2. Foster social-emotional life skills in children and adolescents.

3. Identify early, assess, manage, and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors.

4. Interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide

As a community, we must collaborate with our community resources to be the most effective. Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and working closely among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, politics and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide.

In addition to working with others locally, there is now a nationwide phone number, “988”, to connect directly to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By calling or texting 988, you can connect immediately with mental health professionals. Veterans can press a “1” after dialing 988 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, which serves veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. For veterans who would rather text, they should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

If you believe someone may be in danger of suicide please reach out for that individual and seek help for them by: calling 911, if danger for self-harm seems imminent; call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk to a mental health professional; ask the person if they are thinking about killing themselves — this will not put the idea into their head or make it more likely that they will attempt suicide, but will open a safe conversation; listen without judging and show you care; stay with the person or make sure the person is in a private, secure place with another caring person until you can get further help; remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk to their professionals and follow their guidance; and lastly, reach out to your local mental health center. Most have a 24 hour on-call therapist that you can talk to for guidance. In 2020, the U.S. had one death by suicide every 11 minutes.

Please help be a solution to decreasing this staggering number.

Hope is available and help is out there.