September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Photo: Dan Meyers | Unsplash
By Kristen A. Schmitt
If you or someone you know is in crisis or has talked about suicide, please know help is available for you. Call or text 988 to get connected with a trained counselor, or visit 988lifeline.org to start a chat.
The last two years have been a rollercoaster of social distancing, quarantining, remote learning and remote work, postponed events, closed restaurants and, quite frankly, a giant interruption to our everyday lives. The last two years have also shown us that mental health preventative care is critical to maintain well-being and find support and healing.
This month, we focus on an issue that has, unfortunately, been on the rise among all ages, all genders and all ethnicities: suicide.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
While Call to Mind strives to foster new conversations about mental health and suicide prevention all year-round, in September, we join like-minded organizations to inspire honest conversations about suicide, reduce bias that prevent people from getting help and encourage care for those who need it.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the US. In 2020, 45,979 Americans died by suicide and another 1.20 million people made an attempt, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). And it’s not only adults who are affected. In fact, it continues to be a serious issue among young people and is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
However, a recent survey of American adults found that 93% believe suicide can prevented. Let’s use this month to reach out to those who are struggling with kindness and support. Let’s talk about this difficult topic in order to remove the discrimination and open up conversations about suicide and suicide prevention. And, let’s bring resources to friends, families and other individuals who need to discuss suicide prevention and/or seek help.
Some resources:
While there is no single cause that triggers suicide, there are plenty of risks and warning signs. Check out AFSP’s guide to help identify characteristics of those who may be at risk.
Suicidal thoughts are increasing among today’s youth with 20% of high school students reporting thoughts about suicide and 9% reporting a suicide attempt, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Here’s what you need to know about youth suicide: warning signs, high risk groups and ways to cope.
What do you do if you are concerned? Reach out and get help immediately, according to AFSP. You can also check out NAMI’s guide on navigating a mental health crisis.
You can also learn more about suicide in youth and teens by viewing some of our past programs:
And check your local broadcast listings for Call to Mind’s new program: 988: A Call for Crisis Care, airing this month.