Monday, September 9, 2019

National Suicide Prevention Week

Suicide is a tragic but important topic to have conversations around. You may have seen many articles and discussions appearing in your newsfeeds around suicide and related issues since:
  • September is National Suicide Prevention Month
  • September 8 -14, 2019 is National Suicide Prevention Week   
  • September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day
While these discussions often only come up when someone famous dies from suicide, in reality, it is highly likely that you, or someone in your family, or a neighbor is suffering right now. 

Consider the statistics:

Globally:
  • Each year nearly 800,000 people die by suicide, which is roughly one death every 40 seconds.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.


In the USA (using CDC data from 2017): 
  • Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for adults ages 18-65. (CDC)
  • An estimated quarter million people each year become suicide survivors.
  • There were more than twice as many suicides (47,173) in the United States as there were homicides (19,510).

Let that sink in for a moment. (And the fact that while you read those statistics someone else died)

Warning Signs:

The warning signs of suicide are indicators that a person may be in acute danger and may urgently need help.
  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself;
  • Looking for a way to kill oneself;
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose;
  • Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain;
  • Talking about being a burden to others;
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs;
  • Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless;
  • Sleeping too little or too much;
  • Withdrawing or feeling isolated;
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge; and
  • Displaying extreme mood swings.

Lies and Truths (via To Write Love on Her Arm):

Lie: If someone wants to die by suicide—there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
Truth: When people have reduced access to lethal means they are less likely to act on their thoughts.

Lie: How we talk about suicide doesn’t matter.
Truth: When people misuse extreme and hurtful phrases, it strengthens the stigma that surrounds a serious issue like suicide.

Lie: People who talk about suicide openly are only doing it for attention.
Truth: If a friend or family member is talking about suicide it’s important that you take it seriously.

Lie: Suicide is a purely selfish act or is the “easy way out.”
Truth: By viewing suicide as a strictly selfish response, it limits our ability to be compassionate, take action, and connect people to the help they need and deserve.

Important hotlines/organizations:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (ESP) can be reached at 1-888-628-9454
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Options) can be reached at 1-800-799-4889

Veterans Crisis Line (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/) is a 24-hour, toll-free hotline that provides phone, webchat, and text options available to military veterans and their families. It provides options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

IMAlive Crisis Chatline (www.imalive.org) is a non-profit, worldwide 24/7, anonymous chatline to help anyone in crisis via instant messaging.

The Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org) is the only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline.
  • The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME to 741-741.

Samaritans USA (http://www.samaritansusa.org/) is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide throughout the United States.

The Trevor Project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/) is a nationwide organization that provides a 24-hour phone hotline, as well as limited-hour webchat and text options, for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

Trans Lifeline (https://www.translifeline.org/) is a nonprofit organization that is created by and for the transgender community, providing crisis intervention hotlines, staffed by transgender individuals, available in the United States and Canada.

And if you are not from the USA here is a list of global numbers you can contact for support:




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