national suicide prevention week – september 5 – 11, 2016 and world suicide prevention day – september 10, 2016
There are not many of us who have not been affected by suicide. According to the CDC, “Suicide is a serious but preventable public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families and communities.”
Facts about suicide in the US (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention):
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death
- There are 117 suicides per day
- 42,773 Americans die by suicide each year
- For every suicide that are 25 attempts
- Almost 50% of all suicides includes a firearm
- The rate of suicide is highest in middle age
According to the World Health Organization, 800,000 people, throughout the world, die by suicide each year. That is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 – 29 year olds globally. It is estimated that around 30% of global suicides are due to pesticide self-poisoning, most of which occur in rural agricultural areas in low- and middle-income countries. Other common methods of suicide are hanging and firearms.
The theme of the 2016 World Suicide Prevention day is, Connect, Communicate, Care. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, these three word are at the heart of suicide prevention.
Do you know the warning signs of suicide? The American Association of Suicidology lists the following as warning signs (easy-to-remember mnemonic IS PATH WARM?):
- Ideation
- Substance abuse
- Purposelessness
- Anxiety
- Trapped
- Hopelessness
- Withdrawal
- Anger
- Recklessness
- Mood Changes
Warning Signs of Acute Risk include:
- Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and or
- Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.
If any of these signs are observed seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or online Lifeline Crisis Chat.
On September 10th, the International Association for Suicide Prevention invites you to join with others around the world who are working towards the common goal of preventing suicide. Check in on someone you may be concerned about, and start a caring conversation with them, asking them how they are doing.
