BY: Caitlin Gallagher
Did you know that suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages in the United States? Close to 800,000 people will commit every year—that equals to about 1 person every minute. For every suicide committed, another 20 attempts are made. That is 800,000 deaths that could have been prevented.
A number that big should shock you, and hopefully it motivates you to help reduce it. Suicides are preventable. Make sure your loved ones, or even strangers, know that you are there, you care and want to help. Caring and support does not just mean listening. Passing along information to outreach programs is enough to let someone know they are cared for and not alone.
If you are having thoughts about suicide, talk to someone—your friends and family are here for you. Frequently, people who have lost a loved one to suicide ask, “Why did they not talk to me about how they were feeling?” or say, “I didn’t know they were struggling with this so badly.”
Maybe you don’t want to confide in someone close to you for fear of judgment. That is okay. There are systems in place and organizations ready and willing to help combat suicide ideations. Some people just don’t know where to find them or how to utilize them. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 availability via phone or online chat. People are there to help and give support to those struggling, but not just with suicide. A key part in preventing suicide is catching the signs and warnings before it comes down to suicide. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, you can still call or chat with someone.
Not only are there hotlines and chats available to those tempted by suicide, but you can also visit your primary doctor. If your doctor does not feel like they are able to treat you and help you with these issues, they can point you in the direction of a counselor, therapist or other specialists.
Dealing with mental illness is not easy, but learning how to cope with it and push forward gets easier with the right support system. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit www.suicidepreventionhotline.org for more information.
