September is National Suicide Prevention Month and I would like to offer my therapeutic expertise and help educate you on the risk factors, warning signs and symptoms, and possible solutions and preventative measures of suicide.
Staggering Suicide Statistics
Someone in the US commits suicide every 11 minutes
132 Americans die each day because of suicide. And we lose over 47,500 yearly
The youngest person on record to ever commit suicide was 6 years old
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in people ages 10-34
Suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in people ages 34-54
According to CNN, an article they published a few years ago stated that suicide under the age of 13 happens every 5 days.
We lose over 48,183 individuals a year (7,126 between the ages of 10-24).
Chances are you or someone you know has been affected by suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt(s), or dying by suicide. In fact, according to the CDC, 12.3 million adults seriously think about suicide, 3.5 million adults made a plan, and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide.
Although we lose people each and every day, talking about suicide remains taboo. There is an overarching stigma attached to suicide and there are many powerful opinions on the topic.
But suicide is preventable and by talking about it, you just might save a life.
So what role do you play? How can you help?
As an experienced clinician, I have worked with multiple clients over the years of different ages and circumstances that had suicidal ideation. Fortunately these individuals had the thoughts but didn’t have a plan or the means and their lives were spared. But unfortunately, I have lost many friends of friends to suicide and it’s life changing for those they leave behind. I have lost co-workers and neighbors and have witnessed firsthand how devastating it can be to those still living. We have even seen suicide in the media most recently when we lost Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. And in years past when we lost Robin Williams, Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, Alexander McQueen, and many more. I hope I can bring awareness to this topic and give you the tools to hopefully save a life along the way.
Risk Factors
There are numerous risk factors that may lead someone to have suicidal thoughts. Women are not exempt from committing suicide and although they are more likely to attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to commit suicide. And although we have lost people of all ages to this act, individuals under the age of 24 and over the age of 65 are at a higher risk. If someone is having constant and prolonged stress, has a history of trauma or abuse, or a history of chronic illness, they are more at risk. In addition, if individuals have a family history of suicide and or have suffered from a recent tragedy or loss, they are also more at risk.
When looking at risk factors you also need to take substance abuse into consideration. Do you know someone that has extreme highs and lows resulting from drugs or alcohol? Studies have shown that more than 1 in 3 individuals who die from suicide are found to be currently under the influence.
You also need to look at the means. Do they have access to firearms? Do they have access to drugs or prescription drugs?
Warning Signs
There are warning signs you can look for that may just save a life. First look at their behavior. Are they isolating themselves? Are they highly agitated or irritable? Are they aggressive? Have they become more reckless or impulsive? Are they feeling hopeless? Maybe they are sleeping too much or too little? Or possibly they are increasing their use of drugs or alcohol? Typically dramatic mood swings is a big sign that something extreme is about to happen. To some’s surprise, most individuals don’t commit suicide when they are in a depressive state but when they have been in a depressive state and are coming out of that state into a more stable looking upswing of behavior and mood.
The next thing you want to look at is if the individual is making comments or threats about ending their life. Take every comment as serious and don’t blow it off because you think they don’t mean it. If they say “It would be easier if I was dead” or “I wish I wasn’t alive” take it seriously. There is most likely an element of truth. Moreover, are they saying goodbye to the people in their life? Maybe giving away their possessions?
Prevention
So what can you do to help prevent suicide? First and foremost, talk about it and ask questions. Ask them if they are thinking of killing themselves. Ask them how they plan to do it and if they have the means. Next, provide support and listen. Help them find a licensed professional to help provide them with coping skills and improve their overall mental wellness. And stay calm and be a good listener. Try to not judge, condemn, or argue with them. Instead, ask how you can help and stay with them as long as needed before professional help can intervene. Once you leave, if you don’t live in the same home, check in on them. Ask them to text you once an hour or once a day depending on the severity. When I have had suicidal clients, I have had them sign a NO SUICIDE CONTRACT and have created a crisis plan with them, which won’t completely prevent someone from committing suicide, but it may help. But don’t ever feel like you (or they) are alone. Then, seek help.
Resources
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). This lifeline provides free confidential support 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you are facing an emergency please call 911. If you would like to find a trained mental health professional in your area to access risk and or to seek therapeutic services, please go to Psychology Today. You can even TEXT “NAMI” TO 741741.
Reference: NAMI : National Alliance on Mental Illness
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