September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide is a leading cause of death and rising in the United States. According to the CDC report from 2021, it was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34. Suicide rates doubled that of homicides. * With numbers rising, it is important to better understand some of the warning signs and action steps we can take to help those who are struggling before it is too late.

Suicide is often misunderstood, which unfortunately leads to lack of support and treatment for those suffering. Death by suicide is a terrible symptom of mental illness which can be complex to diagnose and treat. People who express suicidal ideation can often be labeled as “selfish” and judged by others which makes it common to hide symptoms. When asked, people who experience thoughts of suicide often will describe themselves as being a burden to people around them. Despite how irrational it may seem, they believe the act of dying is the only solution to ending their emotional suffering and dying would provide relief, not pain, to those that love them.

The act of suicide is defined as the result of action taken when someone intends to end their own life. Attempted suicide is when someone has the intent to end their life but does not die from that attempt. At times, accidental death from self-harm or substance use can look like a suicide even when it was not intended. The more we understand someone’s intent, the more we can offer support and appropriate mental health treatment. Mental illness and suicidal ideation can invoke feelings of shame and self-blame, which is why it is so crucial to be deliberate and compassionate when we talk about suicide. For example, words like “commit suicide” have a negative connotation which can increase feelings of shame and suffering. Language matters. Using words like “died by suicide” can lessen the stigma and reinforce the fact that suicide is a symptom of a disease and not a crime or a character flaw.

One of the biggest misperceptions of suicidality is that if you talk about it to someone who is depressed, you could put the idea in their mind to act. That is false. The reality is you will never cause someone to explore suicide as an option if they were not already thinking about death.

If you are suffering from depression and having thoughts of suicide, it is important to share that with someone. Tell a friend, a family member, health care provider or call the 988 hotline for support.

According to the National Institute of Mental health, here are some warning signs to be aware of that could potentially signal someone is at imminent risk. **

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often

Here are some important tools if you are worried someone may be contemplating suicide from the National Institute of Mental Health**:

1. ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that, as noted earlier, asking someone who is at risk if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.

2. KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.

3. BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and listening can help prevent suicide and not increase it.

4. HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988) in your phone so they’re there if you need them. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.

5. STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies show the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

If you are looking for a place to start focusing on your mental health, you can find local therapists and resources on the website PsychologyToday.com or reach out to your doctor.

Written by Cara Maksimow, LCSW, owner of Maximize-Wellness.com located in Chatham NJ, on behalf of the Mayors Wellness Campaign Advisory Committee of the Chathams.

* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WISQARS Leading Causes of Death
Reports for 2021
** Reference: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention