SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
Suicide Prevention Month” by National Institutes of Health (NIH) is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10th is National Suicide Awareness Day. During the month of September increased awareness is given to this oftentimes stigmatized and taboo topic. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is also an opportunity to spread hope to those who have been affected by suicide as well as provide help to prevent individuals from deciding to end their life.
Suicide can impact individuals of various races, age groups or social economic backgrounds. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021 (which is approximately one death every 11 minutes). Additionally, the number of people who thought about suicide during this same year was an estimated 12.3 million American adults. Suicide was also among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34. Despite these alarming statistics, in many cases, suicide can be prevented by recognizing suicide warning signs and staging an intervention before a person chooses death. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html
“Suicide Prevention Display – U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea – 15 January 2013” by USAG-Humphreys is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS/WARNING SIGNS:
“To anyone out there who’s hurting — it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength.”
— Barack Obama
Many people were shock to learn about the death of Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain’s by suicide in June of 2018. Shortly after his death, there were various speculations as to what factors may have contributed to his decision to end his life. These speculations range from drug & alcohol use, love addiction and depression.
Anthony Bourdain is not the only celebrate who chose suicide. Other famous people include: Kate Spade (Fashion Designer), Robin Williams (Actor) and Avicii (Swedish DJ/Music Producer). There are also many other celebrities who have either attempted or contemplated suicide like: Halle Berry, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Elton John, Drew Barrymore, and Elizabeth Taylor. Although suicide is not predictable, in many ways it can be preventable.
According to the www.mayoclinichealthysystem.org, one of the common myths about suicide is that it occurs without warning. However, in actuality, many warning signs are given before a person makes this tragic decision such as: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide), some of the warning signs of suicide include:
- Talking about wanting to die
- Feeling overwhelmed with shame or guilt
- Feeling like they are a burden to others
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of extreme sadness, agitation or rage
- Researching ways to die
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Increased risky behaviors (such as driving extremely fast)
- Increased mood swings
- Unexpectedly making a will
- Extreme changes in eating and sleeping habits (eating or sleeping more or less)
- Increased use of drugs and alcohol
Although there are many suicidal warning signs, suicide without warning is also common. According to Dr. Michael Miller (as assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School), the people who are most intent on committing suicide know that they have to keep their plans to themselves if they want to carry out their plans, which then makes these kinds of people the most in need of help and the toughest to save.
“Many people never let on what they are feeling or planning. The paradox is that the people who are most intent on committing suicide know that they have to keep their plans to themselves if they are to carry out the act,” says Dr. Miller. “Thus, the people most in need of help may be the toughest to save.”
“Suicide Prevention” by iPredator is marked with CC0 1.0. Talk To the Discouraged
MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE
Sometimes people who commit suicide are branded as being selfish or attention-seeking. Unfortunately, these myths and misconceptions about suicide may prevent people from being able to receive the help that they need. One of the best things that we can collectively do to support suicide prevention is being more compassionate towards others who are dealing with various mental and emotional challenges in their lives as well has educate ourselves about the myths and misconceptions related to suicide. According to the https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/8-common-myths-about-suicide, there are several common myths about suicide:
Myth 1: Talking about suicide increases the chance a person will act on it.
Fact: Having dialogue my help a person to find an alternative view of their existing circumstances.
Myth 2: People who talk about suicide are just seeking attention.
Fact: People who die from suicide have often shared their desire to no longer wanting to live with others.
Myth 3: Suicide can’t be prevented.
Fact: Suicide is unpredictable but in many cases preventable if those contemplating suicide get support for their feelings of hopelessness, mental health illness and substance abuse.
Myth 4: People who take their own lives are selfish, cowards or weak.
Fact: The reasons behind suicide are quite complex. However, suicide is often associated with psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and substance use.
Myth 5: Teenagers and college students are the most at risk for suicide.
Fact: Although suicide is a problem among all ages and groups, the age group with the highest suicide rate in the U.S is men and women between 45 and 64.
Myth 6: Barriers to bridges, safe firearm storage and other actions to reduce access to lethal methods of suicide don’t work.
Fact: Many suicide attempts are the result of impulsive decisions, therefore limiting access to lethal means, such as firearms, is one of the simplest strategies to decrease the chances of suicide.
Myth 7: Suicide always occurs without warning.
Fact: Although suicide is unpredictable, there are oftentimes many warning signs that are given such as a person withdrawing from social contact, increased mood swings and increased use of alcohol or drugs.
Myth 8: Talk therapy and medications don’t work.
Fact: Treatment can and does work, however, finding the right kind of treatment can take time.
If you suspect that a person is contemplating suicide, encourage the person to call a suicide hotline number. In the U.S., call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach a trained counselor. Call 988 and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”
Maya Angelou
REFERENCES:
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html
https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/suicide-often-not-preceded-by-warnings-201209245331
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide
https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-attempted-suicide/celebrity-lists
Category: Uncategorized