September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
It’s designed to create awareness and promote actions people can take to prevent suicides. When it comes to suicides, the numbers are staggering. There are about twice as many suicides in the United States as there are homicides. Ivanhoe has what you can do to help.
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The age-adjusted suicide rate in 2022 was 14.21 per 100,000 individuals, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. In 2022, men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women.
Douglas Ruderfer, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center says, “Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States; that’s top three among young adults and adolescents.”
The rates of mental disorders linked to suicides are also on the rise. Studies show depression rates in the US tripled in the early months of the pandemic and a study from Boston University found depression now affects one in three Americans.
JooEun Kang, MD, PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, says, “We know that depression is a major risk factor for suicide attempt.”
However, some steps can be taken to reduce this risk factor and others.
Ruderfer states, “That oftentimes just starts or can begin with telling someone, a friend, a family member or a doctor, that you are, in fact, struggling.”
And if you know someone who is struggling, you don’t have to wait until they talk to you. Be sensitive and ask them direct questions, such as “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Or “Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?”
According to studies, discussing suicide can actually reduce the risk of suicide, rather than increase it. Also, encourage them to speak to a mental health professional and never promise to keep someone’s suicidal thoughts a secret.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.