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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Take Action

digital safety digital well-being Sep 10, 2022
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is dedicated to amplifying the voices of survivors, bereaved families, and mental health activists. During September, activists and organizations educate communities around the world about suicide awareness and prevention while spreading hope and support for mental health. 

 

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the USA. Furthermore, suicide remains the third leading cause of death in adolescents. Suicide is a pressing and prevalent issue; thankfully, there are a plenty of actions that we can take as a community and as individuals to help those who are vulnerable and need support. 

 

Understanding the gravity of the situation 

 

Globally, 800,000 individuals die by suicide every year. In other words, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. In the US, men comprise the majority of suicide deaths. Veterans, people who live in rural areas, and people who identify as LGBTQ+ also have higher than average rates of suicide. Suicide is a complex issue; influences such as discrimination, financial stress, drug dependencies, and social isolation may fuel and catalyze self-harming behaviors. Therefore, every community member plays an integral role in taking action to address and relieve those influences while keeping an eye out for signs of self-harm

 

Helping yourself: What to do if you have suicidal thoughts 

 

Taking action is not just important to support friends and family who may display suicidal behaviours; taking action also involves reaching out for help if you have suicidal thoughts. Addressing and breaking down complex feelings is essential to disrupting the cycle of depression, anxiety, and despair that can fuel dangerous behaviour. In addition to talking to a trusted adult about your situation, you can also use the new, simplified Suicide and Crisis lifeline 988 to connect with trained counselors from over 200 crisis centers across the US. 

 

Crisis lifelines provide emotional support and alleviate distress that the caller may be experiencing. In addition, studies showcase that callers feel less suicidal towards the end of the call; talking to others is lifesaving. Along with 988, the previous suicide line 1-800-273-8255 is still active and running.  

 

Online mental health resource centers are also quite helpful. These organizations aim to provide useful and constructive advice regarding common mental health issues and to teach young adults how to cope with emotional stress. These centers cover a range of topics, from learning how to manage anxiety to teaching you how to take care of your mental health. Centers like JED and Befrienders Worldwide connect with individuals to help them navigate emotional challenges.

 

Helping family and friends: Suicide warning signs 

 

Anyone can experience suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm, including family and friends. An effective way to prevent suicide is to recognize warning signs that your loved ones may be demonstrating. This encourages a timely intervention before they can harm themselves. 

 

Some common warning signs include:

  • Changes in academic or work performance and social behavior. A person contemplating suicide may participate less in activities and often choose to isolate themselves from social interactions. 
  • Loss of appetite or extreme dieting can be signs that the person may be struggling with their mental health. 
  • Changes in mood like extreme irritation, increased self-criticism, and depression can be signs of emotional distress and mental health challenges. 

 

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to notify a trusted adult of your concerns or talk to your loved ones to support them and get them any help they need. 

 

Warning signs are not definitive as everyone copes differently with stress and emotional challenges. Asking your friends and family how they’re feeling mentally and emotionally can help them open up and work through challenges before they become overwhelming. You can even have these simple conversations regarding mental health with peers at school. Engaging in these conversations can be extremely supportive to them and you! Not only are you becoming more emotionally aware of yourself, but you are also building stronger connections. 

 

We all have a responsibility to care for ourselves and each other. If you feel hopeless or depressed, remember that these feelings are temporary and that help is only a phone call away (remember the hotline 988). Reaching out for support is not the easiest step but provides so many benefits, including suicide prevention. 

 

Suicide will never be a solution to our problems. Let’s all take action to increase awareness about suicide and ways to prevent it. Technology is a powerful tool to spread awareness about suicide prevention and can even connect individuals to lifesaving mental health help, as evidenced by systems such as the 988 Lifeline. 

 

To learn about more ways to use technology to protect your mental health and that of your peers, ask your school or district about #ICANHELP’s Student Digital Citizenship Video Course.    

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