Suicide Prevention Month Blog Post for September
**Trigger warning: This blog post contains information about suicide. If you or someone you know are experiencing a crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (9-8-8), or visit Step Up Speak Out (www.kent.edu/stepupspeakout) for mental health resources on campus.**
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, but that doesn’t mean we can only talk about suicide in September. Oftentimes, many individuals go without addressing this serious topic because of various misconceptions. One misconception being that if you ask someone: “Have you ever thought about suicide?” it will put that idea into their head -- this is not true! Asking someone if they have ever thought about suicide, will not put that idea into their head. Oftentimes the individuals experiencing distress will appreciate you for asking, because they understand it is a tough question to ask. By asking this very important question, it shows that you care about this person, and that you are willing to make sure they get the help that they need.
One in five of us will experience a mental illness during our lifetime. Statistics from the CDC show that in 2020, 45,979 people died by suicide in the United States, equating to one death every 11 minutes, and for every suicide death, 275 people have seriously considered suicide (CDC.gov). Additionally, even though males make up 49% of the population, 80% of suicide deaths are male (CDC.gov). All of this is to show that you are not alone. Help is possible, and there are resources available.
So, what are some warning signs of suicide? Well, there are numerous, but keep in mind that not every person will have all the mentioned warning signs, and not every person will have the same warning signs. When in doubt, trust your gut. The National Institute of Mental Health categorizes warning signs into three categories. Those who are demonstrating warning signs for suicide will talk about wanting to die, having great guilt or shame, or being a burden to others. They may possibly feel empty, hopeless, trapped, like they have no reason to live, unbearable emotional or physical pain, extreme sadness, anxiousness, agitation, or rage. Finally, they may change some of their behavior that might include, making a suicide plan, withdrawing from friends or family, saying goodbye, giving away important or personal items, making a will, displaying extreme mood swings, eating or sleeping more or less, or taking dangerous risks that are outside of their character.
What can we do to prevent suicide? One way that we can help to prevent suicide is to stop spreading mental illness stigma. Our language matters, and it has an impact. By changing our language, we can make a more welcoming environment that accepts those living with mental illness. For example, instead of saying “... committed suicide”, it is more appropriate and respectful to say “died by suicide”. When we use the word ‘commit’ it has a negative connotation to it, similar to how we say “commit a crime”. There are other things we can do too, like, when we hear someone talk about suicide or mental health in a stigmatizing way, we can (if we feel comfortable) politely explain to them and educate them that what they are saying is stigmatizing, and can potentially be limiting individuals from seeking help. It is also important to ask the tough questions. As discussed earlier, by asking someone if they have thought about suicide will not put the idea into their head. It is a way that we can show that we care, and that we want to help the individual reach the resources that they need. Lastly, we can educate ourselves. By learning the warning signs of suicide, the prevalence of suicide, we are becoming better at understanding what we can do to help suicide prevention.
But most importantly, remember that you are not alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, reach out, call or text 9-8-8, or visit Step Up Speak Out's website for mental health resources on campus.
If you would like to learn more about how to be there for someone when they are struggling, or how to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental distress, visit the Division of Mental Health and Substance Uses website to learn about the various trainings that they offer that teach others those exact things.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 28). Suicide data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Warning signs of suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved August 29, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide