Suicide Awareness
- What is Suicide?
- Suicide Risk and Protective Factors
- Warning Signs
- Common Misperceptions and Facts
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Resources
- #BeThe1To
What is Suicide?
Suicide is described as the result of an individual’s violence directed towards themselves leading to their death (NIMH). A suicide attempt is when an individual engages in violent behavior towards themselves with the intent to end their lives, but they do not die because of their actions (NIMH). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) it is best to avoid terms such as “committing suicide” or a “successful suicide”, as these terms often carry negative connotations.
The Center of Disease Control (CDC) reports that suicide is a serious public health problem that can have a lasting, harmful effect on indviduals, families, and communities. While its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, the goal of suicide prevention is to reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience. Ideally, prevention should address all levels of influence, including individual, relationship, community, and societal. Effective prevention strategies are needed to promote awareness of suicide and encourage a commitment to societal change.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for people ages 10 and older. Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are more likely to have suicidal thoughts or behaviors than their heterosexual peers.
Suicide Risk and Protective Factors
Risk Factors:
- previous suicide attempts
- depression and mental illnesses
- substance use
- adverse childhood experiences
- loss of relationships
- social isolation
- lack of access to healthcare
- community/family violence
- stigma associated with seeking mental health support
- suicide cluster in the community
Protective Factors:
- effective coping strategies
- reasons for living
- support from parents, friends, family
- feeling connected to others, school, community, and social institutions
- reduced access to lethal means
- strong sense of cultural identity
- availability of consistent, high quality mental health care
Warning Signs
The following behaviors may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:
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Talk about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
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Express feeling empty, hopeless, or feel like they do not have a reason to live
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Have made plans or are looking for ways to kill themselves (i.e., researching ways to die online, buying lethal items, etc.)
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Talk about having tremendous guilt or shame
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Talk about feeling trapped or feeling like there are no solutions
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Express having unbearable pain, physically or emotional
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Talk about feeling like a burden to others
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Start or increase use of alcohol or drugs
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Act anxious or agitated
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Withdrawing from loved ones
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Change in eating and/ or sleeping habits
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Display rage or talk about seeking revenge
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Taking risks that could lead to death (i.e., reckless driving)
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Talking or thinking about death often
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Extreme mood swings (ie., changing from very sad to very calm or happy suddenly)
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Giving away important possessions
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Saying goodbye to friends and family
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Suddenly putting affairs in order, making a will
Common Misperceptions and Facts
Myths
Suicide only affects individuals with a mental health condition
Fact: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that many individuals with metal illness are not affected by suicidal thoughts and not all people who attempt or die by suicide have mental illness. There are many life stressors that individuals who do not suffer from mental illness endure that can increase risks of suicidal thoughts and/or attempts (i.e., criminal/ legal matters, persecution, eviction/ loss of home, death of a loved one, devastating or deliberating illness, trauma, etc)(2020).
Once an individual is suicidal, they always will be
Fact: NAMI states that active suicidal ideation is often short-term and situation specific. Previous research has shown that approximately 54% of individuals who have died by suicide did not have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Furthermore, for those who do suffer from mental illness, the proper treatment can help reduce symptoms. NAMI goes on to state the following:
"The act of suicide is often an attempt to control deep, painful emotions and thoughts an individual is experiencing. Once these thoughts dissipate, so will the suicidal ideation. While suicidal thoughts can return, they are not permanent. An individual with suicidal thoughts and attempts can live a long, successful life." (2020).
Most suicides happen suddenly without warning
Fact: According to NAMI (2020), warning signs--verbal or behaviorally--precede most suicides. Therefore, it is important to learn and understand those signs (can be found above in the Warning Signs section). Often times, individuals having thoughts about suicide only show warning signs to thse they are closest to and unfortunately, if they do not recognize what’s going on, the suicide may appear as sudden or without warning.
People threaten suicide to get attention
Fact: Thoughts of suicide or actions are signs of extreme distress and alert that someone needs help and should not be ignored. Threatening to die by suicide is not a normal response to stress and should not be taken lightly (NIMH, 2020).
Asking someone about suicide puts the idea in their head
Fact: According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), asking someone about suicide is not harmful. Several studies have suggested that asking people about suicidal thoughts does not induce or increase such thoughts and experiences. In actuality, asking someone directly, “Are you thinking of killing yourself,” can be the best way to identify someone at risk of suicide (NIMH, 2020). Furthermore, NAMI (2020) shares that there is a widespread stigma associated with suicide and as a result, many people are afraid to talk about it. However, talking about suicide actually reduces the stigma, which allows individuals to seek help, rethink their opinions and/ or share their story with others.
People who die by suicide are selfish and take the easy way out
Fact: Typically, individuals who die by suicide do not end their life because they do not want to live, but usually because they want to end their suffering. They are usually suffering so deeply and feeling so helpless and hopeless that they cannot see another solution to the pain they are experiencing. NAMI (2020) goes on to share that individuals who experience suicidal ideations are not “simply thinking of themselves”, but rather they are going through a very serious mental health symptom due to either mental illness or a difficult life situation.
The importance of debunking the myths:
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Allow individuals to look at suicide from a different angle, which is one of more understanding and compassion
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Can help individuals struggling obtain the help they need to learn healthy coping skills and access to a support system
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Reduce stigma so that individuals struggling with thoughts about suicide may feel more open to seeking help
Prevention
Suicide is preventable.
Everyone can recognize the warning signs, offer support, and promote healthy connections.
Prevention tips, resources, and treatment are available.
Prevention Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- ask for help
- talk to your child about mental health
- seek parenting skill training programs
- watch for signs of suicide
- secure firearms and prescriptions
General Prevention Tips
- recognize the warning sings
- connect them to the 24/7 988 Lifeline
- engage others to build connection
- encourage school-connectedness and participation in school programs
Treatment
Treatment for people who are considering or have attempted suicide can involve connecting people in crisis to mental health services. Treatment can also include putting space and time between the individual and lethal means. To prevent reattempts, treatment can include regular therapy and check ins with medical providers.
Evidence-Based Treatments
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
To find out more about treatment options in Fresno County, click the button below.
