Since 2008, September has been declared National Suicide Prevention Month — a moment to acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide, raise awareness and look out for our loved ones and our community.
Suicide is a public health problem. As of 2021, more than 720,000 people around the globe died by suicide every year, according to the World Health Organization. And in the US, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among adults, and is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults, ages 10 to 24.
What leads to suicide?
While “there is not a single cause for suicide,” according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, many factors, such as health, relationships, substance abuse, financial problems, isolation, society and environmental factors –the majority of suicides occurred in low-and-middle-income countries–, and more, can contribute the possibility of a person committing suicide.
Conducts of someone with suicidal intentions can be:
Physical signs:
- Alteration of sleeping patterns
- Lack of energy
- Indifference concerning personal hygiene or appearance
- Loss or increase in appetite
- Weight changes, gain or loss
Conversational sings:
- Sharing desire and thoughts about wanting to die
- Talking about feeling blame, guilt or shame
- Expressing being a burden to others
Behavioral signs:
- Abuse of substance, like drugs or alcohol
- Searching ways to die or taking dangerous risks
- Withdraw from friends and family
- Previous suicide attempt
- Putting affairs in order
Feelings of:
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Anger
- Shame
- Trapped
- Desperation
How can a suicide be prevented?
Suicide can be prevented by learning to recognize the warning signs, assures the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of suicide prevention is to reduce risk factors in order to avoid it.
As an individual and community, there are some efforts and strategies that can be applied to prevent suicides. 988 Suicide Crisis and Lifeline shares 5 action steps to support someone that may be experiencing suicidal thoughts:
- Ask: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking directly, without judgment, can open a more effective dialogue about their emotional pain. Studies show that asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts does not increase the possibility of suicide.
- Be there: Either physically or by a phone call, but listening without judgment can help reduce suicidal thoughts.
- Help keep them safe: By reducing the access to lethal means, suicide rates by that method declines. Studies show that choosing another method frequently does not happen.
- Help Them Connect: Help the person connect with professionals and ongoing support.
- Follow Up: Reach them out, it can be a message or a call, to see how they are doing. Studies prove that following up reduce the attempts of suicide.
If you need help or know someone who does, get in touch with a professional, call University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) 1-800-473-8440 or 915-479-3484, or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can call or text 988, it is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
