STOP A SUICIDE TODAY

In 1999, the Surgeon General’s Call to Action defined suicide as a public health problem. With over 30,000 people dying by suicide each year in the United States, averaging 82 per day, there are almost twice as many suicides as homicides each year. Since the Surgeon General’s report, advocacy groups for suicide prevention have come together to spread awareness of the Warning signs of suicide and provide suggestions of how to respond when there is a concern about a loved one.

Although suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the US, intervention is complicated by misunderstanding. Over 90% of those who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental illness. Unfortunately, stigma and common myths prevent people from seeking help; even though there is effective treatment available.

Friends, family members, coworkers and professionals can help prevent suicide by speaking to those who they feel may be depressed or considering suicide. In the same way you would respond to any medical emergency, you should respond immediately if you feel that someone you know may be at risk. It is important to ACT now: Acknowledge, Care, and help the person at risk get the Treatment he or she needs.

It is a myth that people who talk about suicide won’t kill themselves. This is NOT true. In fact, 70% of people who die by suicide tell a loved one or show warning signs before their death. Additionally, it is also a myth that asking people if they are considering suicide puts the idea in their head. On the contrary, by asking if someone is suicidal, you are providing them with a safe opportunity to express their feelings and to have an ally in seeking help. Regardless of their answer, it is important to remain nonjudgmental and help them receive the help they may need.

Mental health clinicians can address suicide in their practice by assessing each patient’s suicidality, regardless of diagnosis or presenting problem. A comprehensive initial suicide assessment will identify risk factors, suggest a baseline level of suicidality, and help the clinician plan appropriate treatment and interventions. As patient’s level of suicidality can fluctuate, it is important for clinicians to repeatedly access for suicide risk. Suicide assessment resources, including the SAFE-T (Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage), have been developed and are available on this website for clinicians to use in their every day practice.

To find a depression screening site in your area, please visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/events/ndsd/attend.aspx. If you feel that you are suffering from a potentially life-threatening problem, please visit your nearest emergency room or call 911 to seek immediate help. Additionally, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255). The lifeline is available 24-hours a day and is free and confidential.