Promote National Suicide Prevention Month!

We can all help prevent suicide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistic Fatal Injury Report for 2019, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. In 2019, an estimated 47, 511 Americans died by suicide and there were an estimated 1.38 M suicide attempts (CDC, 2021). Based on the 2018 National Survey of Drug Use and Mental Health it is estimated that 0.5 percent of the adults aged 18 or older made at least one suicide attempt. This translates to approximately 1.4 million adults and youth in grades 9-12 reported that they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2021).

Speak out about suicide! Telling your story can save lives, let people know they are not alone and encourage people at risk to seek help. Individuals having thoughts of suicide need a listening ear, check-in and ASK how they are coping and if there are any stressors in their lives. BE THERE, individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking to someone who Listens without judgement. KEEP THEM SAFE, a number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and the frequently suicide rates overall decline. HELP THEM STAY CONNECTED, studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive actions and reduce feelings of hopelessness.