September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - a time to raise awareness, shift public perception, share vital information, and share hope to those affected by suicide. The goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and seek help.

Suicidal thoughts, like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. It is especially dangerous among youth - suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among those ages 15-24 in the U.S.

Suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition - 46% of those who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.

YOU can play an important role in the prevention effort by familiarizing yourself with the warning signs, taking them seriously, and knowing how to respond to them. Warning signs of suicide include:

* Talking about suicide
* Seeking access to guns, pills, etc.
* Having a preoccupation with death
* Sudden mood swings or personality changes
* Hopelessness
* Self-loathing or hatred
* Neglecting appearance
* Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
* Saying goodbye
* Withdrawal
* Self-destructive behavior

Suicide prevention resources are available including the FREE 988 SUICIDE and CRISIS LINE! The Lifeline provides 24-hour confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call or text 9-8-8 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat.

To access more information and resources, visit NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness - at www.nami.org