World Suicide Prevention Day

Trigger Warning: Discussion of the topic of suicide and suicidal ideation 

World Suicide Prevention Day:

World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.

Suicide Attempts, Suicide, Suicidal Ideation

(Written In Honor Of World Suicide Prevention Day 2021)

By Dreaming Ace

Suicide Attempts, Suicide, Suicidal Ideation

Something that connects 

Us all, Us all, Us all

Actors and Musicians and Comics

Writers and Journalists and Royalty

Vets and Farmers and Religious Leaders

Sports players and Food Critics and Business owners

Acquaintances, Friends, and Family members

We all know or know of

Someone who has fought 

Someone who has struggled

Someone who was overwhelmed

Someone who thought about suicide

Sometimes it is attempts in youth

Sometimes it is caused by mental illness

Sometimes it is caused by despair

Sometimes it is not being able to see past the darkness

Sometimes it is feeling all alone 

We all know or know of

Someone who has fought 

Someone who has struggled

Someone who was overwhelmed

Someone who thought about suicide

Reach out to those you see suffering

Ask how they really truly are and LISTEN

Don't turn away out of fear of doing it wrong

Being present, Listening, Helping find outside support

Often this is all that is needed to save a life

Suicide Attempts, Suicide, Suicidal Ideation

Something that connects 

Us all, Us all, Us all

Why Is Today Important?

Suicide is a global public health crisis impacting us all. We all know a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, or stranger who has struggled with Suicide, Suicide Attempts, or Suicidal Ideation. 

For example I know:

A childhood friend of mine in the Army who has lost multiple coworkers to suicide

A member of my church family who in the past has struggled with Active Suicidal Ideation

Several Facebook acquaintances who have had struggles with Active Suicidal Ideation

Wentworth Miller who has spoken about two suicide attempts one as a youth, and one as a college student

Individuals (and characters in fanfiction) who have experienced both acute and chronic low level passive suicidal ideation (Where it is less about having a plan and more about just waiting*/wishing for death to show up)

*This song is not about this topic at all but yet expresses some of what it can feel like.  

It is important that we understand this crisis, know how to identify when someone could need help, and know what to do if someone does need help. 

It is also vital that we normalize having such thoughts and build a community that someone in crisis can reach out to knowing they won't be judged and will get the resources and help that they need.

Suicides can be prevented

Definitions and Statistics:

Definitions:

Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior.

A suicide attempt is a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury.

Suicidal ideation refers to thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.

Suicide is a Leading Cause of Death in the United States:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports, in 2019:

Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,500 people.

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44.

There were nearly two and a half times as many suicides (47,511) in the United States as there were homicides (19,141). 

40 seconds

By Dreaming Ace

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Every 40 seconds

Someone around the world

Dies by Suicide

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Every 40 seconds

Someone's life is cut short

Never to be heard from again

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Every 40 seconds

So since the start of this poem

Someone ceased to be

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Identifying and Helping Someone in Crisis: 

Wentworth Miller has also expressed ways to reach out and have these difficult conversations with someone you are worried about even when you don't know where to start as well as talking about when these conversations are useful and when they are not.

Resources If You Are In Crisis:

(In the US):

If in immediate crisis call 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). (Note this number will be changing in July 2022 when it will become 988)

The Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, followed by Pressing 1. or texting 838255.

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 (The only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline.) Text HOME to 741-741.

The TrevorLifeline can be reached at 1-866-488-7386.

TrevorChat can be found at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/

TrevorText can be reached by texting START to 678-678

Trans Lifeline can be reached at 1-877-565-8860.

This is a list of global crisis numbers. Most countries have some system set up to help those who are in crisis.

If You Are Struggling:

Gmorning. 

YOU ARE SO LOVED AND WE LIKE HAVING YOU AROUND. 

*ties one end of this sentence to your heart, the other end to everyone who loves you, even the ones you haven't heard from for awhile* 

*checks knots* 

THERE. STAY PUT, YOU

Gnight. 

YOU ARE SO LOVED AND WE LIKE HAVING YOU AROUND. 

*ties one end of this sentence to your heart, the other end to everyone who loves you in this life, even if clouds obscure your view* 

*checks knots* 

THERE. STAY PUT, YOU. TUG IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.

Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi

You're Gonna Be Okay by Brian & Jenn Johnson

Logic - 1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid

Songs about Suicide and Suicide prevention