September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which is dedicated to providing resources to individuals impacted by suicide or suicidal thoughts, and education aimed at preventing suicide through increased awareness and understanding. Suicide is a difficult topic for some to discuss, perhaps due to stigmatizing beliefs about those that complete suicide or the devastating impact that suicidal thoughts can have. Nonetheless, conversations about suicide are important in that they may help an individual feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it most.
In the past year, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, a series that some perceived to be controversial or negative, stirred up many feelings about suicide, and how raising awareness should be approached. In July, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park completed suicide. Others may recall in 2014, when iconic comedian Robin Williams died from suicide. The important thing that all three of these stories did show, are important warning signs to look out for, and that people present with suicidal thoughts differently from one another. A touching video posted by Chester’s wife, Talinda shows how individuals who die by suicide may not always fit into the stereotypical idea of what a depressed person “looks like” but there are signs and symptoms that you can look for in yourself or your loved ones who may be struggling
Important Facts:
❖ Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States
❖ Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide
❖ For every suicide, there are 25 attempts
❖ Males are more likely to die by suicide, and middle aged white males are at a particularly high risk
❖ In 2015, the suicide rate was highest for adults between 45 and 64 years old
❖ Females attempt suicide twice as often as males
❖ Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for those ages 15-24
❖ There are effective therapeutic treatments to help manage suicidal thoughts or behaviors, like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy
❖ Suicide thoughts do not discriminate between age, race, gender, faith, sexuality, or socioeconomic status
(AFSP, 2015; AFSP, 2017; USDHHS, 2017)
Risk Factors:
❖ Mental health conditions
➢ Depression
➢ Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder
➢ Schizophrenia
➢ Borderline or antisocial personality disorder
➢ Conduct disorder
➢ Psychotic disorders, or psychotic symptoms in the context of any disorder
➢ Anxiety disorders
➢ Substance abuse disorders
❖ Serious or chronic health condition and/or pain
❖ Stressful life events which may include a death, divorce, or job loss
❖ Prolonged stress factors which may include harassment, bullying, relationship problems, and unemployment
❖ Access to lethal means including firearms and drugs
❖ Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide
(AFSP, 2017; USDHHS, 2017)
Warning Signs:
❖ Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
❖ Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means
❖ Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
❖ Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
❖ Talking about being a burden to others
❖ Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
❖ Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
❖ Sleeping too little or too much
❖ Withdrawing or feeling isolated
❖ Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
❖ Displaying extreme or mood swings (e.g. extreme happiness, a sudden sense of peacefulness, intense sadness)
❖ Withdrawing or isolating from family and friends
❖ Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
❖ Giving away prized possessions
❖ Feelings of humiliation, depression, anxiety, or rage
❖ Loss of interest in activities or people
(AFSP, 2017; USDHHS, 2017)
If you notice these risks factors or warning signs in yourself, your friends, or your family, there is help available. There are many resources available to assist in the process of support and problem-solving for you and your loved one, including professional counseling. Call (215) 487-1330 or email us at Greenridge@intercommunityaction.org for more information about our counseling services, which include one-on-one therapy with a trained clinician.
Author: Erin Hopkins Stern, M.A.
References
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2015) Suicide statistics. https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2017). Risk factors and warning signs. Retrieved from https://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/
Chesin, M. S., Sonmez, C. C., Benjamin-Phillips, C. A., Beeler, B., Brodsky, B. S., & Stanley, B. (2015). Preliminary effectiveness of adjunct mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to prevent suicidal behavior in outpatients who are at elevated suicide risk. Mindfulness, 6(6), 1345-1355. doi:10.1007/s12671-015-0405-8 KidsHealth (2017) About teen suicide. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/suicide.html
Nina Golgowski (2017, September 17). Chester Bennington’s wife shares video of him laughing hours before his death. Retreived from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chester-bennington-seen-laughing-before-death_us_59bed2e7e4b02da0e142d99d
United States Department of Health and Human Services (2017). Suicidal behavior. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/suicidal-behavior/index.html