National Suicide Prevention Week

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and right now we are in the middle of the National Suicide Prevention Week (Sun, Sep 6, 2020 – Sat, Sep 12, 2020). This is a heavy and hard topic that collectively, we all need to speak more openly about because suicide and suicidal ideation impacts us all, and impacts every community.

(If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out to one of the many helplines available. You are not alone)

• Suicide prevention must recognize and affirm the value, dignity, and importance of each person.
• Suicide is not solely the result of illness or inner conditions. The feelings of hopelessness that contribute to suicide can stem from societal conditions and attitudes. Therefore, everyone concerned with suicide prevention shares a responsibility to help change attitudes and eliminate the conditions of oppression, racism, homophobia, discrimination, and prejudice.
• Some groups are disproportionately affected by these societal conditions, and some are at greater risk for suicide.
• Individuals, communities, organizations, and leaders at all levels should collaborate to promote suicide prevention.
• The success of this strategy ultimately rests with individuals and communities across the United States. (NCBI)

Stats:

Globally close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. (WHO)

In the United States, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. In 2018, 48,344 Americans died by Suicide. In 2018, there were an estimated 1.4M Suicide attempts. (AFSP)

Stories:

Oscar-winning writer Graham Moore spoke about attempting suicide when he was a child in his oscar speech for The Imitation Game. He spoke more to this experience on The Axe Files with David Axelrod (who talked about his own father (a mental health professional) who died by suicide when Axelrod was a kid) 

The conversation around suicide and mental health goes from around 8:30 to 22.24. What was highlighted was the importance of talking about suicide and suicide attempts publically because in those moments too many people feel alone. They feel like they are the only ones to ever have experienced what they are experiencing and struggle to see what might be on the other side.

Signs:  

Broken down into Talk, Behavior, and Mood (AFSP):

Warning sign: Talk

If a person talks about:

Killing themselves

Feeling hopeless

Having no reason to live

Being a burden to others

Feeling trapped

Unbearable pain

Warning sign: Behavior

Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss or change:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Looking for a way to end their lives, such as searching online for methods

Withdrawing from activities

Isolating from family and friends

Sleeping too much or too little

Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Giving away prized possessions

Aggression

Fatigue

Warning sign: Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:

Depression

Anxiety

Loss of interest

Irritability

Humiliation/Shame

Agitation/Anger

Relief/Sudden Improvement

While these are often portrayed as signs to see in others who might be suffering, they are also useful for self-reflection and inner work. If you find yourself displaying such signs reach out to someone you trust and explain that you are struggling and need help. The sooner you reach out the easier it may be to reframe your inner monologue.

Sources of Help:

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

The Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, followed by Pressing 1.(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.

The 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 texting HOME to 741-741 (crisistextline.org) is the only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline.

The Trevor Project The TrevorLifeline can be reached at 1-866-488-7386. TrevorChat can be found at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/ (available 7 days a week from 3PM to 10PM ET). TrevorText can be reached by texting TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200 (available M-F from 3PM to 10PM ET) The Trevor Project 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.

The Trans Lifeline 1-877-565-8860 (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.

Songs:

Here are a few songs that speak about Suicide or Suicide Ideation and the importance of reaching out for help when we find ourselves in need of help: 

Faith-Based:

God Only Knows (for King and Country)

God's Not Done With You (Tauren Wells)

Other:

1-800-273-8255 (Logic ft Alessia Cara, Khalid) This is a powerful song, and has a good ending, but could be very triggering for some please take note.