The act of suicide prevention starts with normalizing honest conversations about mental health and suicide and understanding the factors that contribute to suicide risk.
WARNING: this post contains in-depth language and information about suicide. If you are in acute crisis looking for help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or dial 911
It can be frightening to hear someone talk about suicidal thoughts—and it can be even more frightening to find yourself thinking about dying. When we fail to take suicidal thoughts seriously, it can have devastating outcomes, as suicide is a permanent solution to (often) temporary problems.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), suicide rates have increased exponentially over the last two decades. Rates have increased significantly in young women aged 10-24 who are at a higher rate compared to men (487.9 per 100,000) which is twice the rate of ED visits among boys. Sometimes, comments or thoughts of suicide, also known as suicidal ideation, can start small, like "I wish I could sleep forever." If left unchecked, suicidal ideation can become significantly more dangerous.
Suicide is preventable, and we all have a role to play in suicide prevention. Suicide prevention awareness starts with normalizing honest conversations about mental health and suicide and understanding the factors that contribute to suicide risk.
Suicide is more than a mental health concern—it's a serious public health issue. Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for people aged 15–24. People of any stage of life, race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation can experience suicide risk, but some groups have higher rates of suicide than the general population.
Suicide is sometimes linked to other co-occuring mental health conditions, but suicide is rarely caused by any single factor. In fact, research shows that only 46 percent of people who die by suicide have a known mental health condition. Several other risk factors can increase an individual's risk of suicide, including:
Although poor mental health can increase an individual's suicide risk, it's clear that mental health conditions alone do not cause suicide. Remember: Risk factors of suicide are not the same thing as warning signs of suicide. Warning signs indicate an immediate risk of suicidal crisis, while risk factors indicate a heightened risk.
Suicide can affect anyone, and all levels of society—from government organizations to health care facilities—must work together in building a national strategy to raise suicide awareness and prevent suicide.
Just as risk factors can increase an individual's risk, protective factors make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. Protective factors exist at varying levels, from the individual level (e.g., biological factors, mental wellness) to the family level (e.g., intergenerational trauma) and even at the community level (e.g., access to mental health services).
Suicide is highly preventable, and we can protect people from suicide by identifying and understanding the factors that protect people from suicidal crisis. According to the CDC, these factors include:
When you prioritize your wellness, you give your mind and body the tools they need to cope with stressful situations. In other words, resiliency helps improve a person's mental health, protecting against mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Resilience also helps offset factors that contribute to poor mental health, such as bullying and experiencing trauma, which can help people live fulfilling and productive lives.
No matter where you are in your mental health journey, here are some tips to make a positive change in your mental wellness and build resilience.
If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, remember that help is available. For immediate support, visit your local emergency department or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Living with mental health challenges can feel incredibly exhausting, but it doesn't have to. Whether you're navigating life after a traumatic event, experiencing anxiety disorder symptoms, or living with another mental health issue, professional mental health care makes your life so much brighter.
At Charlie Health, we deliver high-quality, comprehensive mental health treatment for adolescents, young adults, and families experiencing mental health crises. Our virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) combines individual psychotherapy, group therapy, family therapy, and can arrange access to psychiatric services as needed to provide confidential support beyond once-a-week therapy.
Our supportive, experienced mental health professionals will be with you every step of the way with comprehensive treatment from the comfort of your own home. No matter where you are in your mental health journey, our therapists are here to answer your questions, explore your treatment options, and work with you toward sustainable healing.
Reaching out takes courage. We’re here to listen to your needs, answer your questions, and match you with an appropriate treatment plan.
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