After a brief decline in suicide rates from 2018 to 2020, experts say isolation from pandemic-related lockdowns and economic turmoil is causing the sharpest increase in suicide rates in 20 years.
Every 11 minutes someone dies by suicide and every 31 seconds there is an attempt. Suicide doesn’t discriminate by age, race, or gender. It’s the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34 and has moved up from being the 12th leading cause of death to the 11th overall.
But what should you do if you see a loved one suffering?
“The best thing you can say to someone who is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts is that you’re not going to leave him alone,” said Juliet Kirwan Carr, an author and activist.
Remove dangerous objects such as firearms, ammunition, toxic substances, and sharp items that can cause harm. This reduces the risk of your loved one harming themselves.
Be sure to get a professional involved immediately if the situation is dire by dialing the suicide prevention lifeline at 988 or taking your loved one to the emergency room directly.
If someone close to you has attempted or died by suicide, make sure to have your own support network. Forty-eight percent of people who have been exposed to someone’s suicide were twice as likely to develop depression or anxiety and were more likely to commit suicide themselves.
“My sibling attempted suicide when I was 7, then my dad, then my daughter,” Erica Kitzman said.
If you know someone dealing with mental health issues, here is a list of resources:
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Text TALK: to 741741 (suicide)
- Text HOME: to 741741 (crisis)
- Children Home Society’s Family Support: Warm Line 1-888-733-6303 (chslistens.com)
- United Way: Dial 211 for 24-hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention
- The Vinson Foundation: Helping Families Coping with Suicide Loss (https://thevinsonfoundation.org/)
- Heretomorrow: Helpline in Neptune Beach available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- (904) 372-9087 (heretomorrow.org)
- LSF Health Systems: 24/7 ACCESS TO CARE LINE: (877) 229-9098 (https://www.lsfhealthsystems.org/)
- NAMI Jacksonville: Dial 904-323-4723 or email Helpline@namijax.org (https://www.namijax.org/)