Suicidal thoughts can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. National Suicide Prevention Week (September 5th-11th) is a week to raise awareness around suicide prevention, warning signs of suicide as well as de-stigmatize conversations around suicide in order to save lives.
Facts about suicide
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United Sates. According to the CDC in 2019 “suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall .. claiming the lives of over 47,500 people.” For indiviudals between the ages of 10 and 34 suicide is the second leading casue of death.
- 78% of all people who die by suicide are male
- While more women attempt suicide then men, men are nearly 4x more likely to by suicide
- Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth
- Transgender adults are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population
Risk factors
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Hopelessness
- History of trauma or abuse
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family History of Suicide
- Loss of Relationships
- Easy access to lethal means
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
Knowing the warning signs
- Verbally expressing wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Making a plan or researching ways to die
- Eating or sleeping more or less
- Talking about feeling hopeless or not being able to identify reasons to live
- Increased use of substances
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves, saying goodbye, giving away important items or making a will
Crisis resources
- If you or someone you know is a life threatening emergency please call 911 immediately or go to your local emergency room
- National Suicide Prevention Line 800.273.8255
- Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741-741
- Veterans Crisis Line – Text 838-255
- The Trevor Project – 866.488.7386
National institute of mental health
