September is National Suicide Prevention Month, with September 10th marking Suicide Awareness Day. Although suicide awareness is important every day, this date serves as a reminder that suicide is a major public health crisis that needs to be addressed and that we must continue to fight the social stigma and silence surrounding mental health and suicidality. Suicide does not discriminate; it affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. By being able to recognize the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, we can keep ourselves and those around us safe and supported.
Suicide prevention is a topic very near and dear to my heart so I will begin by introducing the significance it holds to me. During my freshman year of college, I received the news that would change my life forever; someone close to me had attempted suicide. This was my first time ever being exposed to this topic and the emotions it evoked were intense and complex. Not even a week later, I received an email from my school’s psychology department with the subject line “Want to Work for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline?” I felt chills run through my body and my immediate thought was “no, I do not.” But what I came to realize was that suicide was now and would forever be a part of my life and I could either let it consume me or I could take action. Furthermore, I reflected on the fact that suicide was a part of our world before it impacted me and would continue to be a huge issue. I could not change what happened in my life, but if I could keep even one person safe, I would feel like I made a difference.
I will always remember all of the people who told me I saved their lives just by spending time listening to them on the phone. I continued with these roles throughout my four years of college and years after. This became an important part of my identity and it is the most meaningful work I have had the opportunity to be involved in.
The difference that you can make in someone’s life simply by listening and supporting them is profound, even if you are not a mental health professional. For many people, this is life-changing but for some, it is life-saving.
Discussions About Suicide- What is Helpful or Harmful?
Suicide is a topic that is often seen as taboo, and is often one of the more uncomfortable questions to ask about. However, suicide is not a bad word and by becoming more open to discussing it, we can make people feel safe expressing suicidal intent thus receiving help quicker. It can be intimidating to ask someone if they are having suicidal thoughts and it raises the concern that by asking the question you might be putting that idea in someone’s head. Fortunately, asking someone if they are thinking about suicide will not increase their risk and can only help them by showing it is ok to speak about these feelings if they arise. With that being said, it is important to note that there are ways of discussing suicide that are harmful and can increase risk for others.
Inaccurate, glorified, and/or detailed portrayals of suicide can be harmful. This includes media depictions of suicides or in-depth news coverage disclosing the details of how someone committed suicide, such as a celebrity. This is harmful and causes a risk of others attempting to use the same means, a phenomenon known as copycat suicide or suicide contagion.
For this reason, communities and schools should take extra precautions when someone has died by suicide and not disclose the means used or specific details of the situation, but rather offer support and resources to those impacted.
Suicide Statistics
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What age group is most at risk?
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While many people may believe suicide to be most common among teenagers and young adults, the elderly population actually has the highest suicide rate
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Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States
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There are over 1.5 million suicide attempts each year and nearly 50,000 people die by suicide annually, which is double the amount of people who die by homicide.
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Men are more likely than women to die by suicide
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Although women attempt suicide twice as often compared to men, men are three times more likely to die by suicide
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What is the biggest risk factor?
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A previous suicide attempt is the biggest risk factor and this question should always be included during a risk assessment
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The Holiday Season Myth
There is a lot of misinformation about what time of year suicide rates peak. Most people believe that the winter is when suicide rates are the highest due to holiday stress and cold dark weather. In fact, I have even been taught this in school. This is a very common misconception- in reality, the complete opposite is true!
The months with the highest rates are June, May, and July. December and November are actually the months with the lowest rates. There are many theories as to why this may be, but what I was taught working for the hotline is the one that resonates most with me. During the winter, the world is gloomy and dark and people tend to stay inside more. If someone is suicidal and depressed, this environment is congruent with how they feel internally and other people are exhibiting similar behaviors (staying inside, less motivation, expressing a lower mood). However, during spring and summer months this changes, and society expresses more happiness and positivity. People are expressing the desire to be outside all day and be active, flowers are blossoming, and all of the bugs and animals are out and about. For the person experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts, they do not feel better with the change of weather and this dissonance may be the final straw of hopelessness.
It is important to be aware of risk factors and warning signs as early intervention is key.
Risk Factors
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Previous attempt or family history of suicide
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Especially if a parent has died by suicide
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History of trauma
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Substance abuse
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Other mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, or personality disorders
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Access to firearms
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Bullying, racism, discrimination
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Veterans are a high-risk population
Warning Signs
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Giving away possessions
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Talking about one’s wishes after they pass
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Expressing that one has nothing to live for
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Saying one feels like a burden or that people would be better off without them
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Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
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Randomly elevated mood after consistent and severe depression
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Oftentimes this is mistaken for progress, however, this should be closely monitored as it can be a sign that suicide is imminent
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Protective Factors
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Access to mental health resources
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Willingness to open up about one’s mental health
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Strong sense of purpose
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Religion or higher power
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A strong connection to someone or something that one feels makes life worth living
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Social support and social networks
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This can include family, friends, partners, therapists, or support groups
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Positive Progress
At a glance, suicide statistics can be alarming and disheartening but it is important to keep in mind the progress that we have made as a society. There are now more resources available than ever before. There are multiple free, 24/7 hotlines and chatlines for people to access quickly and easily (such as those listed below). A recent very exciting development is that as of July 16th, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number has officially been shortened to 3 digits- 988 (This happened on my birthday and this news was an amazing gift!) This is important progress as this number is much easier and faster to remember and dial. It may seem simple, but this has made an enormous impact as call volumes to the hotline have increased by more than 90%! Another seemingly simple yet impactful change is that primary care physicians also now conduct a brief mental health screening and suicide risk questionnaire when needed. Train stations and railroad crossings now have signs posted with the 988 number in an effort to decrease the number of suicide attempts on train tracks. Changes like these fight the stigma around suicide and mental health by simply acknowledging its importance. A final example is the continued rapid growth of fundraising events that provide a sense of community support such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk which raises funds for advocacy efforts, research, educational programs, and more.
Written by Lexi Perreault, BA
Resources below if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call or text 988
Veterans, press 1 when prompted
Crisis Text Line
http://www.crisistextline.org/
Text “TALK” to 741-741 to chat with a Crisis Text Line counselor
Veterans Crisis Line
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Text 838255
Military Peer Support Program
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (substance abuse)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help
1-800-622-HELP(4357)
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://hotline.rainn.org/online/terms-of-service.jsp
1-800-656-HOPE(4673)
The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ Youth)
1-866-488-7386
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
References
Center, A. P. P. (2023, December 6). Suicides don’t spike around the holiday season, but Americans think they do. Anneberg School for Communication. https://www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/news/suicides-dont-spike-around-holiday-season-americans-think-they-do
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Suicide data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Learn. 988 Lifeline. (2024). https://988lifeline.org/learn/
Suicide Statistics. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2024, August 26). https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/