Let’s Talk About Suicide… Why it’s Important and How Do We Talk About it?

Let’s Talk About Suicide

TALKING about suicide is imperative to PREVENTING suicide. Suicide prevention seeks to decrease the factors that increase suicide risk while increasing the factors that protect people from suicide.

• Suicide is preventable. Most people who think about suicide desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.
• Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with 45,979 deaths in 2020. This is about one death every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. 
• Suicide impacts people of every race, religious background, and income level. ​
• The earlier a mental health issue is identified, the sooner effective treatment and recovery can begin​.

There are some individual characteristics and things we can do in communities that may help protect people from suicidal thoughts and behavior. Identifying and understanding them is very important.

Protective factors include:

• Access to mental health care, and being proactive about mental health
• Coping and problem-solving skills
• Reason for living / future orientation 
• Connections to friends, family, and community support, including supportive schools 
• Religious participation, including cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide
• Limited access to lethal means among people at risk

Research is very clear that talking about suicide DOES NOT give a person ideas about trying it or increase the risk of a suicide attempt in the future​. Talking about suicide shows someone that you are concerned and want to help.

‍Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior.​ A suicide attempt is a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury.​ Suicidal ideation refers to thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.​ Passive suicidal ideations refers to the desire for death but not planning suicide. Example thoughts include “I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up,” or “I wish I could die in a car accident.”

It is essential that you ask directly about depression and suicide if you notice any of the following warning signs:​

• ​Feeling down or hopeless​
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs​
• Major changes in sleep, eating, or activity level​
• Stopping normal activities​
• Withdrawing from friends or family​
• Suddenly giving away possessions
• Making comments about “wishing to be dead” or being a “burden” to others​
• Preoccupation with suicide or dying in writing, drawing, or online activity​
• Looking for the means to kill oneself (e.g. gun, pills, rope) or discussing a suicide plan

If someone makes a comment about hurting themselves or wanting to die, always take them seriously. ​ Start with these phrases to better understand what they are feeling:​

• How can I help?​ Is something wrong?
• Sometimes people feel sad or upset that they think about hurting themselves. Have you been feeling like that?​
• Are you thinking about killing yourself?​
• You can always talk to me about how you feel. ​
• We will get through this together.

If someone is having suicidal thoughts:​

• Call 911 
• Take them to the nearest emergency room immediately ​
• Call their established mental health provider (if they have one)
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). ​
• Do not leave the person alone until they see a mental health provider​
• Let them know you will get through this together

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References:
https://www.cdc.gov/

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/