September is Suicide Awareness Month.  It’s a difficult topic to broach. However, taking the time to learn about it can help you feel empowered to help yourself or help someone else.  

45,000 Americans die by suicide every year.  Further data shows there are some groups that have higher rates of suicide than others.  These include: being male over the age of 75, teens with mental health problems, being between the ages 10-34, being LGBTQIA+, having experienced sexual trauma, having a severe untreated mental health disorder, having an addiction, and having a family history of suicide or prior attempts.  

 Warning Signs:

One warning sign is, talking about wanting to die.  “All my problems will end soon, everyone will be better off without me, or being in unbearable pain.”  

Other signs might be, changes in behavior or taking action. Such as withdrawal, loss of interest in activities, making final arrangements/giving away prized possessions, risk-taking behavior, increased use in drugs/alcohol,  self-injurious behavior, looking for a way to access lethal means, or showing a lack of interest in future plans.  

You may not have thoughts about these signs, sudden or extreme mood shifts, showing rage or seeking revenge, acting anxious or agitated, feeling isolated.

Also a persistent inability to cope with stressful situations like death/loss, divorce/separation, sexual and physical abuse, work/relationship/financial problems, dependency on drugs/alcohol, pandemics or hurricanes.

A once heard it framed this way, “Warning signs are invitations to help.”  So, what to do next?  

• Ask the person directly, are you thinking about suicide? Or are you thinking of killing yourself?  Practice it before you ask.  
• Ask more questions, get more information.  Keep them safe (remove lethal means or monitor them until they get help); this is a priority.  If they are unable to be kept safe a person may need to be hospitalized.
• Get help.  Tell other friends and family and help them get appointments with their doctor or a therapist.  Connect them to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line 741741.  Have them talk to a trusted friend or spiritual advisor.  
• Be there and follow up to show you care.  Call them, have others call them, tell them you are there for support.