September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day

Celebrated yearly since 2003, it’s organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. t’s organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.  On September 10^th, remember the millions of people we’ve lost to suicide!

Did you know that:

• In March 2023, the suicide rate for youth ages 15-24 was 13.5 percent per 100,000. CDC
• According to SAMHSA, 12.5 million people 18-25 experienced a mental behavior or emotional health issue in the past year. This amounts to 33.8% of young adults, up from 22% in 2016.
• Girls are more likely to attempt suicide than boys, but boys are 4 x more likely to die from suicide than girls.
• Suicide rates for 15-19 are higher in more rural areas: 15.8% per 100,000 compared to 9.1% per 100,000 people in urban areas (RHIhub).

Here are the Warning Signs of Suicide from the NIH (National Institute of Mental Health):

• Talking About Wanting to Die
• Great Guilt or Shame
• Being a Burden to Others

Feelings of Depression:

• Empty, hopeless, trapped or having no reason to live
• Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated or full of rage
• Unbearable emotional or physical pain

Changing Behavior such as:

• Making a plan or researching ways to die
• Withdrawing from friends
• Saying Goodbye, giving away important items or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
• Displaying extreme mood swings
• Eating or sleeping more or less
• Using Drugs or alcohol more often

How You Can Help

• Ask them if they are thinking about killing themselves (suicide ideation). You are not putting ideas in their head.
• Listen without judgment and show you care.
• Stay with the person. Dial the Suicide or Crisis Lifeline 988.  Open 24 hrs. if you must.
• Remove any objects that could be used in a suicide attempt such as knives, ropes, etc.