Monthly Spotlight: Suicide Prevention

• 48,183 people died by suicide in the US
  • That is about 1 death every 11 minutes
• 12.3 adults seriously thought about suicide
• 3.5 million adults made a plan
• 1.7 million adults attempted suicide
• Some groups have disproportionately high rates of suicide.
  • From highest to lowest rates:
    • American Indian/Alaska Native
    • Caucasian
    • Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
    • Multiracial
    • Black/African American
    • Hispanic
    • Non-Hispanic Asian
• The suicide rate among males in 2021 was about four times higher than the rate for females
  • Males make up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides
• People aged 85 and older have the highest rates of suicide
• Firearms are the most common method of suicide
• Suicide rates increased by 37% between 2000-2018
  • and decreased by 5% between 2018-2020
  • However, rates nearly peaked in 2021
• Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the US
• On average there are 132 suicides per day
• 94% of adults surveyed in the US think suicide can be prevented

Information gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

• Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence
  • For example, those who have experienced things like violence, bullying, sexual violence, and the like have a higher suicide risk.
• Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to healthcare can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Impacts
  • Suicide and suicide attempts cause serious emotional, physical, and economic impacts
  • Those who attempt and survive may experience serious injuries that can have long-term effects on their health
  • Suicide and suicide attempts can affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, coworkers, and the community
  • When people die by suicide, their surviving family and friends may experience prolonged grief, shock, anger, guilt, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide themselves.
  • The financial toll of suicide on society is also costly. In 2020, suicide and nonfatal self-harm cost the nation over $500 billion in medical costs, work loss costs, value of statistical life, and quality of life costs.
• For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population.
• Ingestion of pesticides, hanging, and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally.
• While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established in high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness.
• Experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behavior. 
• Suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons; and prisoners.
• By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt.
• Stigma, particularly surrounding mental disorders and suicide, means many people thinking of taking their own life or who have attempted suicide are not seeking help and are therefore not getting the help they need.

Information gathered from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

From Columbia University, National Association of School Psychologists, and American Psychiatric Association:

• Ask them if they are okay or if they are thinking of hurting or killing themself. Don’t be afraid to ask directly. In fact, a lot of people thinking about suicide feel relieved when they can talk about their feelings.
•  Someone thinking about suicide needs your support. So don’t say they’re being silly, dramatic, or overreacting. Don’t interrupt or try to say things are not as bad as they think; just let them talk about their thoughts and feelings, and be a good listener.
• Tell them you are worried and concerned about them. “It seems like you’re really sad lately and that worries me.” Or, “What you said about wanting to hurt yourself really concerns me.”
• Let them know they have been heard. Don’t be afraid to repeat back to them what you have heard to make sure you understand.
• Tell them they are not alone. Having mental health concerns can be very lonely. People may feel like they are different from everyone else or that no one can understand.
• Look through the warning signs and let them know of some safe places and people to talk to
• Don't make any deals or promises to keep a friend's suicidal secrets
• Give them ways to talk to professionals whether it's through talking, texting, or emailing.
• Ask others and voice your concerns
• Follow up on your friends

This information is gathered from: the CDC, the American Psychiatric Association,  the National Association of School Psychologists, and Columbia University

• Warning signs of suicide:
  • Often talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide.
  • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless.
  • Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying things like "It would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out."
  • Increased alcohol and/or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from friends, family, and community.
  • Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking.
  • Dramatic mood changes.
  • Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others.
  • Finding suicide notes
  • Previous attempts
  • Depression/ "masked" depression
  • Final arrangments
  • Self-harm or putting oneself in harm's way on purpose
  • Learning about ways to kill themself on the internet.
  • Getting things needed to kill themself—for example, buying medicine, finding a gun or knife, or looking for dangerous places (i.e., rooftops, train tracks, etc.) that are nearby and not restricted.
  • Giving away important belongings, like a prized guitar, phone, or computer.
• Protective Factors:
  • Contacts with providers (such as follow-up phone calls from health care professionals).
  • Effective mental health care; easy access to a variety of clinical interventions.
  • Feelings of strong connections to individuals, family, community, and social institutions.
  • Strong sense of cultural identity.
  • Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
  • CDC developed the Suicide Prevention Resource for Action (Prevention Resource), which provides information on the best available evidence for suicide prevention.
    • Strengthen economic supports
    • create protective environments
    • improve access and delivery of suicide care
    • promote healthy connections
    • teach coping and problem-solving skills
    • identified and support people at risk
    • lessen harm and prevent future risk