Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.
~Vaclav Havel
National Suicide Prevention Month
Suicide Prevention: Be There, Be The One To Help
September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.
Suicide is a public health problem because of its far-reaching effects:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. It was responsible for over 48,000 deaths in 2021.
- In 2021, an estimated 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million made a plan for suicide, and 1.7 million attempted suicide.
- People who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence are at higher risk for suicide.
- In 2021, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 25-34 years.
- 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
- Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, the 3rd leading cause of death among those aged 15-24 and the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
- 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition — but research suggests that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Be there and be the one to ask, keep them safe and help them connect to crisis resources.
What To Watch For:
Individual, relationship, community, and societal factors may influence the risk of suicide.
Know the suicide warning signs including:
- Feeling like a burden
- Being isolated
- Increased anxiety
- Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased substance use
- Looking for a way to access lethal means
- Increased anger or rage
- Extreme mood swings
- Expressing hopelessness
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Talking or posting about wanting to die
- Making plans for suicide
How To Get Help
Safeguard the people in your life from the risk of suicide and support them:
- Ask.
- Keep them safe.
- Be there.
- Help them connect. You can start with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org).
- Follow up.
- Learn more about suicide prevention from the CDC Suicide Prevention Resources for Action website or the SAMHSA 988 Hotline website.
Did You Know?
Bio-One Columbus frequently partners with LOSS- Franklin County. Their mission is to be an instillation of hope to those bereaved by suicide, empowering survivors so they can thrive, with their vision to create a community of loss survivors experiencing a restoration of hope and standing together for suicide awareness. If you are in need of their services or know someone who can benefit, please visit their website.
Bio-One of Columbus is a leader in crime scene cleanup and biohazard decontamination services in Columbus. Our technicians are highly skilled and have been trained on OSHA's safety standards.
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