Posted September 9th, 2014
By Guest Blogger
September is suicide awareness month. Recent events in the news including the loss of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams to suicide has brought this issue to the forefront. The psychological pain that leads individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. Their deaths leave families and friends heartbroken. Surviving family members not only suffer the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide, but are also themselves at higher risk of suicide and emotional problems.
Suicide is complex with emotional, psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors all playing a role in both increasing and moderating the risk for suicide. Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor for suicide. Mental illness, substance abuse, previous suicide attempts, hopelessness, access to lethal means, recent loss of loved ones, unemployment and vulnerability to self-harm are just a few examples of risk factors. High self-esteem, social connectedness, problem-solving skills, supportive family and friends are all examples of factors that buffer against suicide and suicidal behaviors.
Suicide occurs across ethnic, economic, social and age boundaries. The statistics are grim. Every year, worldwide over 800,000 people die from suicide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined. In 2011, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming 39,518 lives. Suicide rates among youth (ages 15-24) have increased more than 200% in the last fifty years. The suicide rate is also very high for the elderly (age 85+).
The good news is that suicide is preventable. Most suicidal people desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems. Most suicidal people give definite warning signals of their suicidal intentions, but others are often unaware of the significances of these warnings or unsure what to do about them. Connectedness is crucial to individuals who may be vulnerable to suicide. Studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide and, conversely, that having strong human bonds can be protective against it. Reaching out to those who have become disconnected from others and offering them support and friendship may be a life-saving act. Connect and save a life.
Ed4Career supports awareness of mental illness and improved treatments to prevent suicide. Please visit our website at Ed4Career to learn more about courses that can help you work with those who suffer from mental illness, depression and those who are at risk for suicide. The course Suicide: What therapists need to know addresses issues about suicide and its prevention.
Where to seek help:
- A community mental health agency
- A private therapist
- A school counselor or psychologist
- A family physician
- A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center
- A religious spiritual leader
- By calling 1-800-273-8255(TALK) for a referral
- 9-1-1 if it is an emergency
SAVE THE DATE: World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10, 2014 – One World Connected
World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for all sectors of the community to join with the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness and understanding about suicide. Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th – each year since 2003. In 2014, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is 'Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.' The theme reflects the fact that connections are important at several levels if we are to combat suicide. Be part of the connectedness of World Suicide Prevention Day this year. On September 10th, join with others around the globe who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide. Together, we can shine a spotlight on this major public health problem and ensure that it receives the policy attention that it warrants.
