Saving Lives One Person at a Time

The world is a hard place to live in, and for some it seems even harder in recent years.

We have increasingly lost more people to suicide than any other period in time within the last 5 years.

There are many reasons why people may contemplate suicide, and many reasons why people actually take their own lives.

The sad part is that suicide is not a victimless act, it leaves behind a messy trail of grieving and awestruck family.

But the loss of a loved one can be prevented, if you know the warning signs of suicide.

Read on to learn what the current statistics are, what the typical signs of suicide ideation are, and how you can help with suicide prevention.

Suicide rates in America

The current state of our economy and the rise in depression due to bullying, social media exposure, financial issues, and other factors has led to a drastic rise in suicide rates.

People who have suffered a death of a close loved one, like a kid or a parent, are more prone to suicide ideation, as well.

This is especially true among youth between 10-20 years old.

Suicide is now the 11th leading cause of death in the US, the 2nd leading cause of death for those ages 10-14 and 25-34, and the 3rd leading cause of death for those between 15-24.

An average of 1.7 million people attempted suicide, and more than 48,000 people died from suicide in 2021 alone.

There is typically nearly two times the amount of deaths by suicide as there is deaths by homicide.

This equates to one death every 11 minutes!

Suicide can be prevented though with the proper knowledge and care.

How to tell if someone is thinking about suicide

Not all people who die by suicide show signs prior to their death, but most do.

Some of the signs that someone you know may be thinking about suicide include:

• Giving away items they hold dear or all of their belongings
• Making actual plans
• Talking about feeling hopeless, killing themselves, being a burden, or feeling trapped
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Searching online for methods to kill themselves
• Withdrawing from social activities that they were typically involved in
• Avoiding interaction with family and friends, or preferring to be alone all the time
• Constantly depressed or overly happy (using smiles and laughter as a mask)
• A drastic change in sleeping or eating habits

What can we do?

If you notice someone who shows warning signs of suicide, there are several things you can do to help them.

Just a simple acknowledgement that you are there for the person can save a life.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can reach out for professional help by calling or texting 988 or texting TALK to 741741.

You can also go to sites like 988lifeline.org, AFSP.org, or suicide preventionlifeline.com.

Seeking the help of a trusted adult, orimary care provider, walk-in clinics, emergency department of a hospital, urgent care, or a therapist can also help.

There are numerous ways that you can help with suicide prevention.