Suicide Prevention

September 4 – 10 is National Suicide Prevention Week. The main goal is to promote awareness and advocacy to prevent suicide for all age and ethnic groups. Did you know that, in the U.S., suicide occurs 2-3 times more often than homicide? For example, in Florida in 2002, there were nearly 2,400 suicides and approximately 1,000 homicides. Nationally, one person kills him- or herself every 17 minutes. Older white males have the highest rate of completed suicide of all other age-gender-race groups. For 10-14 year olds and 15-24 year-old, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death. It is estimated that nearly 4.5 million have lost a loved one to suicide.

It is important to note that NO racial, gender, age, ethnic, socioeconomic group is immune from suicide risk. So, it’s important to know Warning Signs. These include: 1) Changes in eating or sleeping patterns, 2) Neglect of personal appearance, 3) Depressed, sad, angry, or aggressive mood, 4) School/job setback or loss, 5) Alcohol or drug abuse, 6)Self-mutilation (usually cutting), 7) Isolation—withdrawal from family or friends, 8) Loss of interest in activities and hobbies, 9) Statements that reflect a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, 10) Change in routine (e.g., sleeping more or less; eating more or less), and 11) Signs of sadness (e.g., crying).

Critical Warning Signs include: 1) Profound hopelessness or helplessness, 2) Self-destructive command hallucinations, 3) Talking, writing, or hinting about suicide, 4) Unusual lethargy, apathy, or sadness, 5) Extreme changes in behavior, 6) Putting affairs in order (e.g., giving away possessions), 7) Devastating relationship breakup, 8) Purchase of a gun or other weapon, 9) Stockpiling drugs, and 10) Sudden happiness and calm, as if things have improved when they haven’t.

Knowing what to do if you detect warning signs in a loved one or friend is important. Here are some strategies you can use to ensure that a suicidal person gets timely help:

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